I was sidelined during Ashes tour: Vaughan

LONDON, May 15: Michael Vaughan has alleged that he was sidelined from the decision-making process during the ill-fated Ashes series in Australia in which he could not play due to his knee injury.
"A lot was spoken about me being involved. I was never involved at all," Vaughan said. "They could have used me more as an Ashes-winning captain with a huge amount of knowledge."
The England captain wants that the mistake made in Australia should not be repeated during the first Test of the home series against the West Indies starting at Lord's on Thursday, which too he will miss owing to a broken finger.
He wants the right to advise Andrew Strauss, who will be leading the team in Vaughan's absence.
Vaughan would have led England against Australia had he not been injured and he believes he should have been allowed to help his replacement, Andrew Flintoff.
"That could have been a help to Andrew Flintoff so that he could get on with playing," Vaughan told The Times.
"It was made clear that I was to be kept away from the team. I understood the reasons, but I thought I could have helped. That's why this week I want to be around."
"I want Andrew Strauss to get on and make a hundred when he opens the batting. If I can help him to settle, to talk to the young players or the bowlers or whatever, it will be a great help to him," the Yorkshire batsman said.