LONDON, 31 July 2003 — England’s new Test captain Michael Vaughan insisted yesterday he would be prepared to “have a few harsh words” to his team if required despite promising to maintain his “relaxed” approach.
Vaughan became England’s Test captain after Nasser Hussain resigned following Monday’s drawn first Test against South Africa at Edgbaston.
Yorkshire batsman Vaughan’s low key style while leading England to victory during their one-day tournaments earlier this season contrasted sharply with Hussain’s self-confessed ‘backside kicking’ method.
But the 28-year-old Vaughan insisted he was no soft touch. “I’m very competitive. Out on the field I play hard and I expect my team to do the same,” he said. “Everyone does that in their own style. But there will be times when I have to have a few harsh words,” admitted Vaughan ahead of the second Test against South Africa.
England’s chairman of selectors David Graveney said, that with the second Test starting on Thursday, Vaughan had been “landed in it” by Hussain.
Not that Vaughan saw it that way.
“I don’t think he’s landed me in it at all. He’s had four years in the job, he’s been a fantastic captain and I’m pleased Nasser’s handed me a team we can progress.”
New Zealand Face Tough
India Tour, Warns Ganguly
In Calcutta, Indian captain Saurav Ganguly has warned New Zealand to be prepared for a tough series when they tour India this October. “It will not be an easy series for the Kiwis,” Ganguly told reporters after a ceremony in his honor given by Calcutta’s mayor.
“We are tough opponents on home soil and we have been playing well of late. We beat New Zealand at the World Cup as well.”
Ganguly’s team will get a chance to atone for their dismal tour of New Zealand late last year when they were thrashed 2-0 in the Test series and 5-2 in the one-dayers.
But the Indian captain ruled out making tailor-made tracks to help their main strike bowlers, leg-spinner Anil Kumble and off-spinner Harbhajan Singh. India’s pace attack has looked more complete this year with left-arm seamers Zaheer Khan and Ashish Nehra earning permanent places to support the experienced Javagal Srinath.
