July 24, 2008	Thursday	Rajab 20, 1429

LONDON, July 23: England selector Geoff Miller demanded an explanation from skipper Michael Vaughan, who described selection for the disastrous second Test against South Africa as “confused” as a trio of former captains on Wednesday spoke out.

The selectors have come in for criticism, most particularly over the late call-up of Nottinghamshire debutant seamer Darren Pattinson, who had made just 11 previous first-class appearances. Following the 10-wicket thrashing which put South Africa 1-0 up in the four-Test series Miller told the Daily Telegraph: “The selectors are not here to make Michael’s job harder, which is why I’d like him to clarify his comments.

“It’s been made into a massive issue by the media and I want to hear his side of the story.”

Miller also told The Sun: “I’m the national selector, Michael is the captain — we’re both in this together.”

Three former England captains added their voices to the debate amid doubts as to who had the final say on the selection of 29-year-old Pattinson.

Ian Botham said in his column for the Daily Mirror that the selectors had made “appalling, embarrassing and downright wrong” decisions.

Botham said: “The England team selection on Friday knocked me sideways. I feel very sorry for Darren Pattinson, but I don’t have any sympathy for the selectors who lost all sense of perspective and embarrassed English cricket.

“It was the most illogical, pathetic and diabolical piece of selecting I’ve seen,” he added.

Pattinson was the first new cap awarded since Geoff Miller, James Whitaker and Ashley Giles took over on the selection panel.—AFP