Michael Vaughan Puzzled By Moeen Ali’s Appointment As Vice Captain In The 4th Test

Sep 7, 2021 at 1:09 PM

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Michael Vaughan Puzzled By Moeen Ali’s Appointment As Vice Captain In The 4th Test

Michael Vaughan had plenty of complaints about the national team’s performance against India in the Oval Test, but Moeen Ali becoming vice-captain was also one of Michael Vaughan’s main concerns. He did not ignore it amid the hosts’ underwhelming batting display in both innings.

The former England captain Michael Vaughan questioned Moeen Ali’s appointment as he has not even been a regular member of the side for the past two years. The 46-year old Michael Vaughan believes it was unfair to Rory Burns and instead puts extra pressure on Moeen Ali, who is still regaining his form.

Michael Vaughan (Image Credit: Twitter)
Michael Vaughan (Image Credit: Twitter)

Michael Vaughan Questions Reason Behind Appointing Moeen Ali As Vice-Captain Ahead Of Rory Burns On His Home Ground

Moeen Ali, a veteran of 64 Tests since debuting in 2014 has been in and out of the England team in the last 2 years. He didn’t play a Test in 2020 and played only 5 in 2019 where he managed only 90 runs averaging a pathetic 10 besides taking 18 scalps averaging 28.89. In 2021, he picked 14 scalps averaging 37.5 but disappointed again with the bat managing only 132 runs in 4 Tests averaging 18.86.

“I always question some of their thinking. Why did they appoint Moeen as vice-captain? He has barely been in the side for two years. It would have been a nice little boost for Burns, who is a regular in the side, to be made vice-captain this week on his home ground. It was a decision that puzzled me and perhaps put more pressure on Moeen who is still making his way back in the game,” Michael Vaughan wrote in his column for The Telegraph.

Rory Burns Getty Images
Rory Burns Getty Images

Jos Buttler’s absence from the fourth Test made Rory Burns a contender to become Joe Root’s deputy. However, at the last minute, the management thrust Moeen Ali into the position. Unfortunately, Moeen Ali’s performances weren’t responsible or significant enough.

Moeen Ali Didn’t Perform As Expected

The home side needed Moeen Ali to step up more than ever in the fourth Test at the Oval. He made 35 runs in the first innings before playing an awful shot, leading to his downfall. England lost their upper hand after his dismissal and a shot at a substantial first-innings lead.

Moeen Ali(ANI)
Moeen Ali(ANI)

The veteran all-rounder did not score in the second innings and delivered an underwhelming performance with the ball. Though the 33-year old wasn’t required to bowl in the first, he had figures of 26-0-118-2. England eventually crashed to a 157-run loss on the final day despite the openers giving them a bright start while chasing 368.

India crushed England by 157 runs in the fourth Test to register their first win at The Oval after 50 years. With the victory, India also took a 2-1 lead in the 5-match Test series. Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, and Umesh Yadav all contributed with the ball, as England lost a cluster of wickets on the final afternoon to decisively swing the match.

India 191 (Thakur 57, Kohli 50, Woakes 4-55) and 466 (Rohit 127, Pujara 61, Thakur 60, Pant 50, Woakes 3-83) beat England 290 (Pope 81, Woakes 50, Umesh 3-76) and 210 (Hameed 63, Burns 50, Umesh 3-60) by 157 runs

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