Former England captain Michael Vaughan has criticized the team management for prioritizing pace bowling following their early exit from the Champions Trophy 2025, after defeats to Australia and Afghanistan. Their elimination came shortly after a 0-3 ODI series loss to India under Jos Buttler’s leadership.
Vaughan noted that while bowling at 150 kmph has advantages, it also has drawbacks, especially in subcontinental conditions where batters thrive against high pace. He emphasized that legends like James Anderson and Stuart Broad had remarkable careers despite rarely bowling above 90 mph.
He also raised concerns over the lack of variety in England’s bowling attack and questioned the shortage of left-handed batters in the playing XI.
“I don’t know who that person is who’s made the decision that it’s all about pace in white-ball cricket. If you ask most batters around the world, of course you don’t want to face 90mph, but if there’s a place where you’d love to face 90mph, it’s in the sub-continent.”
“England have hit both India and [teams] in the Champions Trophy with a huge amount of pace and batters have been deflecting the ball to all parts,” he said (via the BBC).
Vaughan further continued:
“In the time I’ve been watching cricket, playing cricket, and involved in English cricket, Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson have been our best two bowlers. They don’t bowl at 90mph.”
“There’s no left-arm seam bowlers, no left-arm spin, no left-handed batters [and] we just seem to be all out in terms of pace,” he added.
Vaughan questions England Lions player’s central contract for pace over skill
Michael Vaughan cited the example of an England Lions player who was given a central contract solely for his ability to bowl at 90 mph. Speaking on the matter, he said:
“Recently, England have been hell-bent on making sure they’re looking for that 90mph bowler. The England Lions tour of Australia – a young chap, Sonny Baker, bowled nicely, he bowled 90mph. He’s been given a central contract, or a contract that England can manage.”
To support his argument, the 50-year-old highlighted that Sam Cook was overlooked for an ECB contract despite claiming 300 wickets in county cricket at an outstanding average of 19.
“There’s a lad at Essex called Sam Cook. He’s 27, he bowls 82mph, he’s got 311 wickets in county cricket at an average of 19. He was the pick of the bowlers on the Lions tour and he hasn’t got that contract. It’s a clear decision by the England management that it’s all about pace.”
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