Former Australia fast bowler Jason Gillespie feels that England should include Michael Vaughan in its final Ashes squad as it can give the home team a psychological edge.
Last week the 34-year-old Vaughan was named in a performance squad of 25 from which the Ashes squad will be trimmed.
“He has a lot of experience winning games of cricket against Australia; he is a match-winner and a guy Australia does respect. We have always respected our opponents, but there are certain players, who demand a little bit extra, maybe because they tend to lift their game against you, and I tend to put guys like Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman, and I would put Michael Vaughan in amongst those guys,” Gillespie was quoted as saying to The Age.
Gillespie also felt that since Vaughan has played a crucial part in England’s last Ashes win, he will be a positive influence in the dressing room.
“People will say he is old and he's got bung knees, but I look at it another way - he has played in winning teams and when he is on fire he is as good as anyone going around.”
“He is a very positive influence around the rooms and unless there are young blokes making mountains of runs and demanding selection, I don't see why England wouldn't do it," said Gillespie.
Vaughan was ranked the best batsman in the world following the 2002-03 Ashes in which he scored 633 runs, including three centuries. He represented England in 51 Tests between 2003 and 2008, winning 26 (a national record) and losing 11.
He quit captaincy last season citing exhaustion and is mounting a campaign to return to the Test team through county cricket, before Australia arrives ahead of its Ashes defense in June.
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