Former England captain Michael Vaughan is surprised by the selection of England’s team for the Test series against West Indies. It is worth noting that England has started its home summer with a three-match series against West Indies. The series between the two teams has started on Wednesday, July 10 at Lord’s, London.

Before the game, the Ben Stokes-led side had announced their playing XI, which includes debutant Jamie Smith and young spinner Shoaib Bashir. Commenting on his team’s playing XI, Vaughan said that the selectors are not paying attention to county cricket. Along with this, he also told that they are not selecting first choice players from the county.

Michael Vaughan said on the Vaughan and Tuffers podcast-

“They’re not looking at county cricket. They’re just looking at the players. Bashir is not the first-choice spinner at Somerset, Jack Leach is. Ben Foakes is the first-choice wicketkeeper at Surrey, not Jamie Smith. England are picking players who are not first-choice at their county. I don’t think they’re looking at county cricket as a tool to say ‘you’re an international cricketer.'”

Speaking further, the former England captain said that the selectors should have picked Jack Leach over Shoaib Bashir and called him England’s number one spinner. Vaughan also said that Leach is the best choice to trouble Australia in Ashes 2025.

“The selection of Bashir over Jack Leach is interesting. I would have picked Jack Leach. Bashir is a fantastic talent and no doubt he would be the second spinner in a two-man spin attack. But Jack Leach has earned the right to be England’s No. 1. Left-arm spin is a pretty good option in Australia.”