Michael Vaughan Blames Player Power and Lack of Leadership for England’s T20 World Cup Woes

June 11, 2024 0 916

Ex-skipper Michael Vaughan cited lack of control and direction as reasons behind England’s T20 World Cup troubles.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has criticised the team’s performance in the ongoing T20 World Cup, citing player power and a lack of strong leadership as key issues. After a lacklustre draw against Scotland and a disappointing loss to Australia, England’s qualification for the Super 8 stage hangs in the balance.

Vaughan pointed out a decline in England’s white-ball form, expressing frustration over repeated selection and tactical errors. “We should not be surprised that England is in this mess. It has been far too cosy for too long in the white-ball set-up. The team has been in decline for a while and is making the same mistakes all over again in selection and tactics. Looking from the outside, it seems to me that the players are too powerful. It is all lovely and nice in the set-up, but I have never seen lovely and nice win World Cups,” he wrote in his Telegraph column.

He suggested a lack of discipline compared to the 2019 World Cup-winning side under Eoin Morgan. “In 2019, England won the World Cup playing fearless cricket, but Eoin Morgan ran that team with an iron fist. Players knew where they stood and were wary of crossing him,” Vaughan said.

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England now faces a potential upset, as group leader Scotland could knock them out of contention with a victory against Australia. This follows a worrying trend after a disappointing 2023 ODI World Cup campaign.

Vaughan believes England failed to capitalise on their 2019 and 2022 World Cup wins. “They haven’t built on their success. Other teams have copied and improved their game, while England has stagnated,” added Vaughan.

He contrasted England’s inconsistency with Australia’s ability to peak at major tournaments. “Australia can have bad patches, but they always turn up for World Cups. England needs to learn that consistency is key,” Vaughan concluded. Nevertheless, England’s next chance to turn things around comes against Oman on Thursday, June 13th.