London, Jul 23 (UNI) With England still smarting under the pain of the humiliating 10-wicket loss at the hands of South Africa, another controversy arose when chairman of selectors Geoff Miller had a meeting with skipper Michael Vaughan to thrash out the differences over team's selection for the second Test.
''The selectors are not here to make Michael's job harder, which is why I'd like him to clarify his comments,'' Miller told the Telegraph before the meeting. ''It's been made into a massive issue by the media and I want to hear his side of the story.'' Vaughan called Pattinson's inclusion ''a confused selection'' after losing the second Test of the ongoing series and stated that the inclusion of Darren Pattinson had unsettled the team.
The right-handed batsman also said the team spirit was lacking during the second Test.
''We didn't feel as much of a unit this week. I have a huge belief that we need to be a unit in Test cricket,'' he said.
England's selectors have also been criticised throughout the Test for the decision to call up unheralded Darren Pattinson from Nottinghamshire and to bat wcketkeeper-batsman Tim Ambrose at number six.
However, Miller defended the inclusion of the 29-year-old fast bowler who had played only 11 first-class matches prior to his Test debut.
''We garner opinion by talking to umpires, county coaches and other players and then we go and monitor the players that those chats throw up,'' he said.
''Once we've got a rounded picture, and if they're the kind of player Peter and Michael are looking for, we'll consider them for selection.'' UNI XC RKM AB AS1840