After Liam Plunkett bagged a five-wicket haul against Windies in the third One-Day International of the five-match series, former England captain Michael Vaughan has thrown his full support in bowler’s favour — to solve the bowling miseries, in the upcoming Magellan Ashes series in Australia.
“I think Liam Plunkett is back on the radar for the Ashes,” Vaughan told in an interview with BBC’s Test Match Special with anchor Alison Mitchell.
Interestingly, Plunkett hadn’t donned a white jersey since 2014 when he suffered from the groin strain during India series. The 32-year-old Plunkett bagged five wickets after conceding 52 runs in 8.1 overs — to hand a convincing 124-run win over Jason Holder-led Caribbean side.
Highly likely coming back into the selection frame for the traditional series, Vaughan feels the improved bowler Plunkett could be the consideration of the English Cricket Board (ECB) selectors this week. After catapulting performance in Bristol, Plunkett would be aiming to give his best, as the Ashes series is slated for November 23 at Gabba in Brisbane.
Vaughan further observed the pace could be a big difference when the red-ball won’t swing, as he stated the hosts could clock at the 90mph.
“At the minute, the fact Australia have bowlers all capable of bowling at 90mph… that could be the difference when the ball stops swinging,” Vaughan maintained.
As ECB selectors are bound to announce the much-awaited squad on September 27 (Wednesday), and it would be interesting to see how the management would go through after considering the pitches.
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However, Plunkett has to prove his credentials if he has to get inducted in the Ashes Pertinently after England lead the series 2-0, the skipper Eoin Morgan termed Plunkett, as ‘Mr Reliable’ owing to the pace of the latter.
“Liam is Mr Reliable. He has never let us down over the past two years and he bowls quick,” Morgan said.
On the other side, Vaughan is worried regarding the pace portent Mark Wood if he won’t recover on time after nursing the heel injury during the South Africa’s England tour.
“The one thing I worry about with England if Mark Wood is injured is a lack of pace,” Vaughan remarked.
Vaughan admitted the fact England is bound to induct something different in approach owing to the pace variation and consistency.
“You need something a little different from (James) Anderson and (Stuart) Broad. Perhaps even Craig Overton at Somerset,” Vaughan further added.
The cricketer-turned-commentator Vaughan, who had played a pivotal role while donning the white jersey for the Three Lions. Vaughan reiterated the performance in the 50-over format from Plunkett, could see him giving his best in the five-day format in the foreseeable future.