Michael Vaughan heavily criticizes Tim Paine for his captaincy and 'strange calls'

Michael Vaughan is one of the finest captains England ever had. He will always be known as the captain who brought back the Ashes for England, something which his predecessors had failed to do repeatedly. Since his retirement, he has been working as an expert and commentator of the game and keeps giving some strong opinions. In his recent column for the UK Telegraph, the former English batsman has been severely critical of Australian captain Tim Paine. 

After Australia lost the series against India at home by 2-1, the ex-cricketer pointed out key reasons why he feels Paine’s side hasn’t done well. According to him, the wicketkeeper-batsman has made some strange calls during tight matches. Vaughan rightly pointed out a habit of the current Australian side to get in strong positions in Test matches, only to give that up. Something which happened twice in the recently concluded series, in Sydney and then in Brisbane. 

Tim Paine’s actions are not helping Australia’s cause: Michael Vaughan

“It will not help Paine’s cause that Australia has once again lost a close game – something they have made a habit of in recent years. I always feel that captains should be judged on how they marshal a tight match, rather than how they lead in an easy victory, and Paine is making some strange calls,” Vaughan wrote in a column of UK Telegraph.

During the Ashes 2019, Australia lost the Test match at Headingley, when England needed more than 70 runs with only one wicket, a result which made sure that England drew the Ashes 2-2 later in the series. 

I have no problem in being proved wrong: Michael Vaughan on his 4-0 prediction

The 46-year-old was also of opinion that the Australian team has some aspects which they need to focus on. He mentioned how their batsmen haven’t done well, other than Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne. He also took a jibe on the bowling attack.

“The batting – aside from Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne – has a soft centre, the pace bowling attack, rightly hailed as being the world’s best a few weeks ago, lacked penetration at crucial moments in the last three Tests against India, and Nathan Lyon had no impact at all,” Vaughan added.

He also addressed his previous prediction about the series. The former batsman had suggested that Australia will win the series 4-0, however, he said he is happy to be proven wrong. “When you have cricket that good, and remarkable performances from rookie players such as Shubman Gill, Washington Sundar and Shardul Thakur, I have no problem in being proved wrong,” Michael Vaughan added.