Bigmouth Strikes Again

There can be many grievances taken from tonight's T20 game of Surrey vs Middlesex, not least the fact that the North London team are making their third appearance on TV in as many weeks - despite being bottom of the table.

But the moment that made me literally shout out with anger came in the form of commentator Michael Vaughan. In his new role as SkySports pundit, he heaped superlatives on the 'back in form' Steven Finn, exclaiming after one ball which rose off a length 'that's what I like to see from Finn, pace and bounce!'. Fair comment, yet the ball was 85.8mph. In the winter, Vaughan denigrated the performance of James Anderson, claiming he had 'lost some pace' despite bowling at speeds upwards of 91mph in Perth.

This is just the latest in a string of contradictions and criticisms from the former Test Captain.

Recently he has become some what of a multi-media presence, commentating on the radio for Test Match Special, writing for the Daily Telegraph, and working as a studio voice for ITV during the IPL. He has crafted a style that combines the flippant and laconic ramblings of David 'Bumble' Lloyd, whilst at the same time parodying the Yorkshire born-and-bred nature of Geoffrey Boycott, setting himself up as a sort of man of the people - a lovable everyman.

Fine you may say, he had a prestigious England career and now wants an easy life as a personality in the media, what is bad about that?

Nothing. But the fact is, he has more layers to him than first meets the eye. He is like a man wearing three hats, yet only wants to be judged on his haircut.

First is his role as an ambassador for gambling company Betfair. In a time of mass corruption being unveiled, it is easy for him to write column inches on the disgraceful nature of match-fixing, but at the same time he picks up a sizeable cheque for perpetuating the very industry that forces the game into dispute.

Next there is his role as a partner at 'International Sports Management' - a talent agency. Again, on its own this is a respectable cause for a ex-player, but when you consider they manage the likes of fringe and current England players like Joe Root and Jos Buttler, the waters become muddy. His vicious articles attacking Jonathan Trott's mental breakdown, set alongside his joining with Piers Morgan against Matt Prior, show the possibility that his seeds of influence can sow doubt upon settled side members, in order for his own contracted players to take their place.

So then we come full circle, back to his journalistic platform. From an affable, facetious, 'I love Yorkshire' rent-a-quote, to a seriously invested talent agent, using his powerful cricketing voice to change the way the national side is run from the outside. Can someone so well connected and biased genuinely be allowed to occupy positions that require independence and open-minded thought?

Yes, apparently. I am surprised he has not already joined the ECB. Then he can follow their trend of putting all self-serving propositions in the open. Although, that would mean actually standing behind all your words, something Vaughan has so far struggled with...