Former Australian cricketer Kerry O’Keeffe made fun of former England skipper Michael Vaughan after he picked the best players out of the Australian and England teams to form his combined XI for the next year’s Ashes 2025.
Michael Vaughan selected some unexpected names from both England and Australia, and his playing XI became the center of an amusing debate during the third Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 between Australia and India at The Gabba in Brisbane.
Michael Vaughan picks combined Ashes XI; Kerry O’Keeffe’s reaction steals the show during the Gabba Test
Vaughan’s lineup featured a mix of seasoned stars and rising talents, with the England captain and all-rounder Ben Stokes leading his combined XI in the Ashes 2025 and players like Usman Khawaja, Joe Root, and Pat Cummins forming the core.
Interestingly, the former England captain picked an all-Australian bowling attack, featuring Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, and Josh Hazlewood, raising concerns over his belief in his national team’s bowling attack, which is currently going through the transition phase.
Michael Vaughan said at the commentary box during the Gabba Test as reported by Code Cricket: “Just yesterday I was just a little bit bored; I was watching England play just a little bit indifferently, and I thought, I’ll create a combined eleven for next year’s Ashes series. That’s what I’ve gone with; that’s the combine that I’ve gone with. Do you agree with all that?”
However, Michael Vaughan’s unexpected selections, like Jacob Bethell at number three and Harry Brook ahead of Travis Head, raised eyebrows. While Vaughan defended his picks, citing recent performances, it wasn’t enough to convince Kerry O’Keeffe.
Kerry O’Keeffe questions Steve Smith and Travis Head’s exclusion
The former Australian bowler couldn’t hold back his reaction, questioning the omission of stalwarts like Steve Smith and laughing at Vaughan’s logic for selecting the young Bethell at the very crucial number three batting position for such an ultra-intense Test series between the two old foes.
Kerry O’Keeffe burst into laughter and said, “No. No, Steve Smith? Joe Root, a Yorkshireman in the middle order, who would have thought? And Jacob Bethell from Barbados at three. I saw a pen picture of Jacob Bethel, favorite player Viv Richards, and the person I’d most like to meet, Bob Marley. And he’s batting three for England; what is going on? The captain, look who the captain is, Ben Stokes; he’s the skipper. New Zealander, he’s taken the brand-new rock. Harry Brook over Travis Head!!!!”
Well, the commentary box turned into a stage for comic banter as Kerry O’Keeffe poked fun at Michael Vaughan’s decision to drop proven match-winners like Travis Head for Harry Brook and Steve Smith for Bethell.
“This is a ridiculous selection”: Kerry O’Keeffe on Michael Vaughan’s combined XI for Ashes 2025
As everyone at the commentary box laughed their heart out, Vaughan explained, “It was a tricky decision, but I’ve gone with Harry; he’s the number one player in the world, so I had to stick with Harry Brook at number five, given his recent form.”
Even Vaughan’s reasoning behind choosing Harry Brook as the number five batter over Head added to the laughter, with everyone enjoying the lively exchange. However, the Australian O’Keeffe mentioned Head’s two tons in the ongoing five-match Test series against India at home.
Kerry O’Keeffe’s final verdict on Vaughan’s XI summed up the mood perfectly—he found Vaughan’s XI nothing short of outrageous. He summed up Vaughan’s selection by saying, “This is a ridiculous selection.”
Michael Vaughan’s Combined XI for Ashes 2025:
Ben Duckett, Usman Khawaja, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (C), Jamie Smith (WK), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
It’s fair to say Kerry O’Keeffe wasn’t a fan of Michael Vaughan’s combined XI for next year’s Ashes. 😂 pic.twitter.com/P1IV3yoRq1
— CODE Cricket (@codecricketau) December 17, 2024