'Picking players that aren't first-choice' - Michael Vaughan blasts Ben Stokes, Brendon McCullum for ignoring county cricket performances

Former cricketer and commentator Michael Vaughan expressed disappointment over England's playing XI for the upcoming first Test of the three-match series against the West Indies. Michael Vaughan stated that the England selectors picked players who weren't first choices for their teams in County Cricket.

The Ben Stokes-led team will take on the West Indies in the first Test match at Lord's in London, starting on Wednesday, July 10. The home team has a good record against the West Indies on home soil in Test cricket. They won by a 2-1 margin between the two teams in 2020, despite losing the first Test match.

They Are Not Looking At County Cricket - Michael Vaughan

Speaking on The Vaughany and Tuffers Podcast, Michael Vaughan questioned the selection of off-spinner Shoaib Bashir and keeper Jamie Smith, noting that they aren't first-choice players at their respective counties. Vaughan criticized the selectors for not prioritizing county cricket performances in selection.

"They are not looking at County cricket. They are just looking at the players. Bashir is not the first-choice spinner at Somerset, Jack Leach is. Ben Foakes is the first-choice keeper at Surrey and not Jamie Smith. England are picking players that aren't first-choice at their counties. I don't think they are looking at County cricket as a tool to say 'You are an international cricketer.'"

'England are picking players that aren't first choice at their counties'

🎙️ @MichaelVaughan breaks down player selection for England#TelegraphCricket

— Telegraph Cricket (@TeleCricket) July 10, 2024

Shoaib Bashir, who debuted during the India tour earlier this year, will play his first Test match in England. Bashir picked up 17 wickets in the three Tests against India. Jamie Smith was picked after scoring over 500 runs in the County Championship for Surrey. He will keep stumps in his debut match at Lord's.

Shoaib Bashir Over Jack Leach Is An Intriguing One - Michael Vaughan

Michael Vaughan expressed surprise over Shoaib Bashir being selected ahead of Jack Leach in England's XI. The cricketer-turned-commentator stated that Leach would have been a better choice, especially considering Ashes preparations. Vaughan stated that Bashir is the second-choice spinner in the team.

"Bashir over Jack Leach is an intriguing one. I would have gone for Jack Leach. Bashir is a wonderful talent and no doubt that in a two-man spin attack he would be the second spinner. But Jack Leach has earned the right for being England's No.1. In Australia, a left-arm spinner against their right-handers, they haven't got many left-handers. Left-arm spin is quite a good option in Australia," Vaughan added.

Gus Atkinson will make his Test debut in the upcoming match in London. England has selected Chris Woakes and James Anderson as their main seamers. Woakes returns to red-ball cricket for the first time since the 5th Ashes Test last year. Anderson will retire from international cricket after his 188th Test match.

England, currently at the bottom of the World Test Championship (WTC) points table, aims for a resurgence against the West Indies. The Ben Stokes-led team has managed just three wins out of ten matches in the ongoing cycle.

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