'Very strange times': Michael Vaughan reacts to ECB naming revised squad after COVID-19 cases

The England and Wales Board (ECB) have announced their revised squad for the ODI series with Pakistan after seven members, three cricketers and four management staff members, had tested positive for coronavirus. 

ALSO READ: Cricket- Seven members of England squad test positive for COVID-19 ahead of Pak series: ECB

However, former England skipper Michael Vaughan rather found it absurd to send the whole squad into isolation after cases emerged within the team. 

He took to Twitter and cited the example of Scottish footballer Billy Gilmour. He tweeted: "Billy Gilmour tests positive & not one Scotland team member or staff has to isolate … England cricket team members do & the whole squad has to go !??????  VERY VERY Strange times … I guess we will or should see Alex Hales again though … #OnOn"

Vaughan's reaction came after the ECB decided to go ahead with a brand new squad for the Pakistan series. 

Nine uncapped players have been added to the revised squad and Ben Stokes has been named the captain of the side. 

The uncapped contingent consists of Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Lewis Gregory, Will Jacks, Tom Helm, Dan Lawrence, David Payne, Phil Salt and John Simpson, although Crawley, Gregory and Lawrence have represented England in other formats.

Tom Harrison, Chief Executive Officer, commented: "We have been mindful that the emergence of the Delta variant, along with our move away from the stringent enforcement of bio secure environments, could increase the chances of an outbreak. We made a strategic choice to try to adapt protocols, in order to support the overall wellbeing of our players and management staff who have spent much of the last 14 months living in very restricted conditions."

He also added that the board worked overnight to revise the squad in order to go ahead with the series as planned. 

"Overnight we have worked swiftly to identify a new squad, and we are grateful to Ben Stokes who will return to England duties to Captain. We also recognise the impact this news will have on our First Class Counties and their Men’s playing squads and thank them, along with our partners Sky and Royal London, for their ongoing support in dealing with this pandemic."