The former England captain was unhappy with Anderson’s selection for the 4th Ashes test and added that it may have cost England the game. Unfortunately, the game ended up in a draw as the rain spoiled on the final day of the test match at Old Trafford.
England was on the verge of equalizing the series after their strong batting performance however the sky had another plan. While Australia was tumbling on 214/5 in the second innings while England had the lead of 61 runs. England was in the pole position to win the test match despite Labuschagne’s gritty century.
However, rain ruined the play of 2 sessions on Day 4 and the entire three sessions on Day 5. It could have been another nail-biting Test match of the series if it didn’t pour down. Australia retained the Ashes as they cannot lose the series now even if they taste defeat in the last Test match.
Michael Vaughan blames James Anderson as England fails to win The Ashes
Despite all this, the former English skipper is blaming the selection of the team for England’s failure. He said the selection of James Anderson in the fourth Test was sentimental as he was playing in his home ground probably last time.
Micheal Vaughan strongly believes that England played Anderson over Tongue just because of his reputation. “We all agreed that James Anderson deserved to have that sentimental pick because he’s a legend of the game, but it may have cost England,” Vaughan told in an interview.
James Anderson has been below average throughout this series as he has only managed to pick up 4 wickets in the 3 test matches. The 40-year-old was dropped from the side for the third test which England won at the Headingley.
Anderson lacked the ‘zip’ that he used to have says Vaughan
James Anderson has been England’s prime fast bowler in red ball for more than a decade. His premiere quality of swinging the ball both ways and bowling at a consistent line and length has got him a lot of wickets.
However, in this series, Anderson seemed very unlikely from what we have seen in the past. His deliveries didn’t have that extra zip and it seemed like he was struggling to get the assistance from the pitch.
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Despite not picking wickets Anderson has been very disciplined and hasn’t given many freebies to the Aussie batters. His economy rate was below 2.5 in every inning of the series.