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Cricket WAGs facing tour ban after Ashes disaster
Last updated at 09:52am on 07.01.07
Hit and miss: Andrew Flintoff's wife Rachael, right, and Andrew Strauss' wife Ruth
Cricket chiefs could bar England players' families from accompanying them on tour in the wake of the Ashes humiliation.
The English Cricket Board (ECB) last night signalled an urgent review of its much-criticised decision to allow wives and girlfriends – known as WAGs – an extended stay on the tour amid suggestions they had become a circus' distracting the players.
At one point, the entourage accompanying the 16 players and 12 backroom staff had swollen to more than 90 people.
England lost all five Ashes Tests – their worst performance since 1921.
David Collier, chief executive of the ECB, is establishing an independent review panel to investigate the national team's failure.
He confirmed the WAGs' involvement would be scrutinised.
It might well be one of the lessons learned from this tour,' he admitted.
While some of the cricketing WAGs are high-profile names in their own right – Kevin Pietersen's fiancée Jessica Taylor is in pop band Liberty X and Andrew Strauss's wife, Ruth, is an Australian actress – they have not rivalled the embarrassing headlines attracted by their footballing counterparts during last summer's World Cup in Germany.
Old cricketing professionals such as Ian Botham, however, are said to be outraged at how much time the England players spent with their families in tow while the Ashes were being lamely surrendered.
Collier said the ECB allowed two weeks' family provision over Christmas for players but he added: What we have to look at is how it extends beyond that.'
England captain Andrew Flintoff was accompanied by his wife Rachael since before the First Test six weeks ago, as was fast bowler Steve Harmison, who cricketing legend Geoff Boycott said showed no heart to play for his country.
England coach Duncan Fletcher admitted: People react differently. There are players who pass on this demeanour that looks like they're tired and disinterested but most of them are not. It is all about how they feel inside.'
Reader views (1)
Always thought family outings were wrong as the players were distracted from their priorities. On this occasion the Wags had gone to OZ too early. Also, the players are pampered too much and this only enlarges their already falsely inflated egos. Result? 5-0 drubbing. No wonder.
- Phil, Waltham Abbey
