Vaughan advocates Strauss to skip Bangladesh tour by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Player:	AJ Strauss, MP Vaughan
Event:	England in Bangladesh 2009/10

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DateLine: 4th November 2009

 

Michael Vaughan feels Andrew Strauss should be rested for the Bangladesh tour to give England the best chance of retaining the Ashes.

 

"I think he should," Vaughan said at a signing for his new autobiography, Time to Declare.

 

"You've got to look at the bigger picture.

 

"The guys are playing far too much.

 

"It's not the actual playing side, it's the mental side of being away and constantly being in a cricket environment.

 

"So just taking Straussy out for a three-week break will regenerate his energy levels going into next summer and we have to have all our players fit and firing for next winter which is the big one - the Ashes."

 

Opener Alastair Cook is now the official vice-captain and logic would dictate that he would stand in for the Bangladesh tour should Strauss be absent.

 

But Vaughan believes that, with the 24-year-old having struggled for form this year, the decision is not as straightforward as it may seem.

 

"That's not been decided yet," he said.

 

"I think we're all jumping to conclusions.

 

"Cooky's under a huge amount of pressure this series to deliver.

 

"He's had a good time in the team since he came in.

 

"He's developed a real strong respect from the rest of the players which is ultimately what you need as a captain.

 

"But he has to deliver with runs on the board and he has to get a lot of runs in South Africa just to give himself that confidence that, if he does get the job, he's speaking from a position of strength."