Michael Vaughan slams 'toothless' ICC for 'allowing India to produce whatever they wish'

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has lashed out at the International Cricket Council (ICC) for allowing India to get away with poor pitches. Vaughan’s comment came after India thrashed England by ten wickets inside two days in the third Test at the Narendra Modi Stadium to take an unassailable lead in the four-match series.

England’s batsmen looked lost on the pitch which was offering unpredictable turn. The visitors won the toss but failed to make the most of it and were all out for just 112. They, however, did well to ensure that they remain in the contest by bowling out India for just 145. But their poor display with the bat continued in the second innings too as India bundled them for a humiliating 81 before chasing down 49 to register a thumping win.

The game saw only 842 balls being bowled as 30 wickets fell in just over a day and a half. The match was the shortest completed Test since 1935. Following the contest, the debate over the pitch has intensified further. Several former England cricketers including Vaughan, David Lloyd, Alastair Cook and Andrew Strauss have blasted the pitch.

Michael Vaughan slams ICC:

As the debate over the pitch continues, Michael Vaughan has come down hard on ICC for not taking any action against India. The former cricketer-turned-commentator stated that the governing body will look ‘toothless’ till the time it allows ;powerful countries’ like India to ‘produce whatever they wish’. Vaughan opined that the inaction from the ICC is hurting Test.

“The longer powerful countries like India are allowed to get away with it the more toothless the ICC will look. The governing body is allowing India to produce whatever they wish and it is Test cricket that is getting hurt,” Michael Vaughan wrote in his column for The Daily Telegraph.

“Perhaps it will take broadcasters to ask for refunds for things to change. They accept Test finishing early because the players are not good enough, but not when home boards produce such poor pitches. They are left with three blank days, but are still having to pay for production. They will not be happy and might think twice about good money for Test rights,” he added.

Writing further, Vaughan went on to say that India’s win in the third Test was a ‘shallow victory’. At the same time, he also acknowledged that the hosts showed their skill and were better than England. Vaughan was also critical of England’s rotation policy and said that the policy has backfired for the visitors.