Former England skipper Michael Vaughan has penned down his 17-member Ashes squad, as the Three Lions led by newly-appointed skipper Joe Root could face the stern challenge against Steven Smith’s Australia in the fourth quarter of 2017.
Vaughan, who has often shared his expert opinion regarding the gentleman’s game, is active on social media — to entertain and eventually share a thought with cricket followers owing to the contemporary cricket.
Moreover, on the photo-blogging site, Instagram, Vaughan jokingly stated he has completed a meeting with himself while coming up with the list of best possible players for the Ashes.
However, Vaughan didn’t have mentioned enough on the white-paper, but he has far above the ground expectations that almost the same team will be announced this week in London.
It’s pertinent to mention, the national selectors for the England Cricket Board (ECB) are scheduled to announce much-awaited England’s 17-man Ashes squad on September 27 (Wednesday), before disclosing it to the English media.
It was interesting to see Vaughan preferred to go with the Durham-based left-handed Stoneman, who has played just three Tests for England – to partner experienced campaigner Alastair Cook at the top.
In the list of cricketer-turned-commentator Vaughan, the two uncapped players have also been included in the form of Somerset-born 26-year-old slow left-arm orthodox spinner Jack Leach and wicket-keeper batsman Ben Foakes, who has been the part of England Lions.
The Salford-based former Vaughan believes leg-spinner Mason Crane could also be considered by selectors for the summer tour following his improved performance.
(Read Also: Michael Vaughan Backs Impressive Liam Plunkett for Ashes Spot)
Just had my final Ashes selection meeting with myself … and this is what I have come up with… https://t.co/RkidrdcTLa
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) September 25, 2017
In a bid to defend the Urn, after clinching the traditional series 3-2 in the five-match series in 2015, England skipper would be aiming high, in a bid to score runs and come good against the pace quartet of Australia on bouncy wickets.
Vaughan feels in the scheme of things for the ECB, the all-rounders are expected to play a significant role in Australia, as Ben Stokes has proved his mettle both with the bat and a ball.
It’s pertinent to figure out that fast bowler Mark Wood and Toby Roland-Jones are already nursing heel injury and back injury respectively.
Australia-England teams will face-off in the first Ashes Test on November 23 at Gabba in Brisbane.
The 42-year-old Vaughan, who has played 82 Tests for England, scored at the average of 41.44, as he smashed 18 hundreds in 147 innings before announcing his retirement in 2008.
Here’s the list of Ashes squad prepared by Michael Vaughan:
1. Joe Root (C), 2. Alastair Cook 3. Mark Stoneman 4. James Vince, 5. David Malan, 6. Ben Stokes, 7. Jonny Bairstow, 8. Moeen Ali, 9. Chris Woakes, 10. Stuart Broad, 11. James Anderson, 12, Garry Balance, 13. Jack Leach 14. Ben Foakes, 15. Mark Wood/Liam Plunkett 16. Jake Ball/Toby Roland-Jones (subjected to fitness) 17. Keaton Jennings (could be added).
This is how it’s from Michael Vaughan before the official Ashes squad announcement: