Michael Vaughan takes the blame for the ultimate commentator's curse after the dismissal of Alastair Cook

The former England captain praised the form of Cook seconds before his second-innings dismissal against the West Indies

Jack de Menezes
Thursday 16 April 2015 16:33 BST
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Alastair Cookreacts after being dismissed by Sulieman Benn
Alastair Cookreacts after being dismissed by Sulieman Benn (Getty Images)

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Alastair Cook doesn’t have many excuses when it comes to his poor form. The current England Test captain had to complete the long walk back to the pavilion once again after being dismissed for just 13 runs during his second innings against the West Indies, but at least this time he could blame someone else.

That someone was Michael Vaughan, a fellow Ashes-winning captain who has embarked on a new career in the media since retiring from Test cricket in 2008. 40-year-old Vaughan was on duty on Wednesday for the BBC, and he was commentating on their Test Match Special coverage of the first Test between England and West Indies at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.

And then it happened.

Alastair Cook looks on after being caught for 13
Alastair Cook looks on after being caught for 13 (Getty Images)

The most blatant occurrences of commentator’s curse saw Vaughan note just how much better Cook looked at the crease compared to last year, commenting on his positioning and technique. The very next ball, and just seconds after Vaughan’s positive feedback, Cook drove a Jerome Taylor ball needlessly to Sulieman Benn, leading to Vaughan promptly taking the blame for his dismissal.

Listen to the clip below…

Unfortunately for Cook, blaming Vaughan won’t lift the pressure on his shoulders as he desperately seeks an upturn in form to try and spark England into life.

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