Michael Vaughan argued that the IPL playoffs would have better prepared England’s T20 World Cup squad than a series against Pakistan.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan threw off the Three Lions by suggesting that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) made a mistake by allowing English players to prioritise national duty over the remainder of the IPL season.
Vaughan, speaking on the Cricket Podcast Network’s ‘Club Praire Fire,’ argued that the high-pressure environment of the IPL playoffs would have been better preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup compared to a T20 series against Pakistan.
“Letting all the players go home might be a missed opportunity. Players like Will Jacks, Phil Salt, and especially Jos Buttler would have benefited from the pressure, crowds, and expectations of the IPL eliminators. Arguably, that’s better preparation than a T20 game against Pakistan,” Vaughan suggested.
While acknowledging the importance of international cricket, Vaughan emphasised the pressure-cooker environment of the IPL. “These players face immense pressure from fans, owners, and social media in the IPL. It’s a massive test. Particularly for Jacks and Salt, I believe staying in the IPL would have been more beneficial than joining a potentially less crucial series against Pakistan,” added the former cricketer.
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Vaughan also pointed to England’s recent struggles in the 50-over World Cup, where team selection changes were criticized. He suggested the desire for stability might be behind the decision to prioritise the Pakistan series as a way to solidify the T20 World Cup squad.
“England wants a settled squad for the T20 World Cup after the criticism they received for squad rotation before the 50-over World Cup,” Vaughan explained.
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Meanwhile, England, the reigning T20 World Cup champions, will open their title defence against Scotland on June 4th with the return of Jofra Archer, who is aiming to regain peak form.
Last Updated on May 25, 2024