Supporters short-changed says Vaughan as stars take a break

MICHAEL VAUGHAN: Believes England should be playing more of their Ashes stars during the forthcoming one-day series against Australia.

The England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed that captain Alastair Cook, Ian Bell, Stuart Broad, James Anderson and Graeme Swann would be rested for the five-match series, as well as next week’s one-off match against Ireland in Dublin.

Jonny Bairstow and Chris Woakes, who debuted at The Oval last week, have also been overlooked for the squad.

With Australia also making a raft of changes – only seven of their 18-man ODI squad played in the Test series – both countries clearly have their eye on the return Ashes winter.

While that may appear understandable given the short turnaround between series – and following a busy summer schedule – it means England fans wishing to see their Ashes winners in action will instead be treated to a 14-man squad captained by Eoin Morgan and including five uncapped players.

While Kevin Pietersen, Jonathan Trott and Joe Root will replace Ireland-bound trio of Yorkshire batsman Gary Ballance, James Taylor and Danny Briggs for the Australia games, Vaughan still believes those who have already purchased their tickets will be short-changed.

Vaughan claimed: “I would have only rested Cook. There’s plenty of time to rest from September 16 to November 21. You can’t sell tickets then rest five star names. I have no problems resting players but I think supporters who have paid good money to watch the best should get a small refund.”

The series will be the first time Cook has been rested from an England team since he took over the Test captaincy 12 months ago.

Since then he has led tours to India and New Zealand before a summer campaign that has included his first Ashes success in charge.

England have previously sought to protect their bowlers from the rigours of the schedule and, with Tim Bresnan sidelined by a back problem, have opted not to take any risks with their attack.

Squad v Ireland (Sep 3): E Morgan (Middlesex, capt), G Ballance (Yorkshire), R Bopara (Essex), D Briggs (Hampshire), J Buttler (Somerset), M Carberry (Hampshire), S Finn (Middlesex), C Jordan (Sussex), J Overton (Somerset), B Rankin (Warwicks), B Stokes (Durham), J Taylor (Notts), J Tredwell (Kent), L Wright (Sussex).

Squad for NatWest series v Australia (from Sep 6): E Morgan (Middlesex, capt), R Bopara (Essex), J Buttler (Somerset), M Carberry (Hampshire), S Finn (Middlesex), C Jordan (Sussex), J Overton (Somerset), K Pietersen (Surrey), B Rankin (Warwickshire), J Root (Yorkshire), B Stokes (Durham), J Tredwell (Kent), J Trott (Warwicks), L Wright (Sussex).