Play it again, Becks!

IT has been a week of the return of the forgotten heroes. Most commentary recently concerned Michael Vaughan’s return to Test cricket, albeit tempered by the other Michael, namely Owen, and his appearance as captain for the England B team but then along came the king of PR who has changed the media landscape in one swoop.

Yes, David Beckham is back in the England squad for the friendly game against Brazil and then a crucial qualifier in Tallin.
There are differing circumstances for these three sportsmen and how they will fair both on and off the field will be fascinating to watch.
Firstly, the most straightforward case is that of Owen. There is no question he is a world-class striker, his track record at club and international football is unequivocal about that.
In addition, there is no outstanding forward to replace him in the England team. He has played three games for Newcastle and the B International in the past three weeks after a very lengthy injury, so he should be fit.
History is littered with strikers who, after a serious injury, never play to the same standard again and this might be the case with Owen – but the only way to find out is to play him. His return will be welcomed by everyone from manager and team mates to fans and journalists; there really is no controversy here.
Michael Vaughan’s case is slightly different in that as captain he is certain of his place but as a top order batsman his place is vulnerable. His century last week in the second test is testament to his mental strength and ability but it does not hide some fundamental issues that still exist, not least his position in the one day side.
Since the awful Ashes tour his stock as captain has risen considerably. This has allowed him to resume this role almost immediately even though he had not played test cricket for almost two years.
His record in the five-day format, whilst not in the top draw, is sufficiently good to justify his selection – which the hundred only rubber-stamped.
It would be more concerning should he return to the one day side as captain. Not only did he not energise the team in the World Cup in this role, he has not scored a century in nearly 90 one-day games.
It is impossible to justify his inclusion at any level but sadly not even the Schofield Report will set up a selection system in time for the authorities to make this tough but necessary decision.
This is partly due to Vaughan’s role within Team England. He has recently started referring to himself in the third person during interviews like when suggesting last week that his century “was Michael Vaughan’s best ever innings” which might well be common place in boxing but sounds very strange coming from a cricketer.
His influence in the team may well be extending past the appropriate.
This, of course, is a reminder of David Beckham’s role in the England football team under Eriksson. It ultimately led to McClaren, in an attempt to show his strength, dropping him from all subsequent squads following failure in Germany last year.
That was until last week when he has been picked again following a revival in form for Real Madrid.
On one hand, it is easy to understand McClaren’s rationale for this decision; he is a desperate man needing a result in Tallin to save his job.
In cases such as this he has to go with the players who will save him, it is a perfectly natural position to adopt. But this is only a smoke-screen to the team’s complete failure under his leadership and even he cannot find the answer to the question, is Beckham a better player than when he played in Germany?
Of course, the answer is, no.
His selection will be a severe blow to the likes of Lennon, Downing and Wright Phillips who McClaren believed could replace him. He has not even been to see him play live, and with the amount of time he has available, this seems unbelievable.
In Owen’s case a positive future depends on a man recovering from injury while with Vaughan it is a player’s ability to perform combined with a management’s ability to make tough decisions.
However, with Beckham, there is nothing but trouble ahead.
If England get two good results then future team selection will be compromised, not least his lucrative contract in Los Angeles. Has anyone considered the travelling involved and the rest of the squad’s confidence?  If England lose it would confirm the view that Beckham is past his best. Bringing back a leader who led the team to such insipid performances cannot be anything but a backward step.
Owen and Vaughan have the future in their hands while Beckham cannot fail. Whichever way the results go next week it is McClaren who will be blamed and not Beckham. Golden Balls? You bet he is.

By Patrick Cummings
patrick.cummings@blueyonder.co.uk