Michael Vaughan today accused England opener Jonny Bairstow of a “negative, pathetic mindset” as the hosts prepare for their vital World Cup clash against India on Sunday.
Bairstow said this week that people were “waiting for England to fail” at the World Cup and cited comments made by former captain Vaughan in his role as a pundit as “a bit rich”.
“They are not willing us on to win,” said Bairstow. “In many ways, they are waiting for you to get that loss, so they can jump on your throat.”
But Vaughan this morning refuted his fellow Yorkshireman’s allegations, posting on Instagram: “How wrong can Jonny Bairstow be?
“Never has [an] England team had so much support, but it’s you and your team that has disappointed, Jonny.
"Win two games and you are in the semis. With this negative, pathetic mindset I am concerned though. It’s not the media’s fault you have lost three games.”
Having lost to Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Australia, England face India on Sunday and New Zealand on Wednesday needing to win both matches or be dependent on other results going their way.
They are set to welcome back Bairstow’s opening partner Jason Roy on Sunday after he trained fit to play following his shoulder issues. There is more concern over Jofra Archer’s side, but Liam Plunkett offers an experienced alternative if required.
Bairstow is very much looking forward to the return of Roy, after a disappointing run of form for his replacement, James Vince, who was bowled for a two-ball duck on Tuesday against Australia.
“Because we’ve [opened together] for a little while, there’s a relaxed confidence,” said Bairstow of their highly successful partnership. “There’s differences in a balance between the two of us and an understanding that I’ve batted with him and known him for quite a while.
"It’s just having that understanding between your partners and you can only get that by spending time in the middle.”
Bairstow said England would stick to their guns, despite recent setbacks.
“Our method doesn’t change,” he said. “Granted, we’ve lost a couple of games, but if you suddenly go striving for different things from what have stood you in good stead over a period of time, then you’re searching for something that you are probably not going to find the answer to.”
Jonny Bairstow was speaking after visiting a Chance to Shine school as part of Yorkshire Tea National Cricket Week.
