Botham leads criticism of England selectors over pick of Pattinson

Nottinghamshire seamer Pattinson, 29, was plucked from obscurity on the eve of the second Test against South Africa at Headingley last week.

His sudden call-up has dominated the inquest into the 10-wicket loss at Headingley with confusion over who had the final say in his selection for the match.

Ian Botham led the chorus of condemnation for the selectors, claiming their decisions were 'appalling, embarrassing and downright wrong'.

Sir Ian: Pattinson's selection was 'appalling, embarrassing and downright wrong'

He added: 'The England team selection on Friday knocked me sideways.

'I feel very sorry for Darren Pattinson, but I don't have any sympathy for the selectors who lost all sense of perspective and embarrassed English cricket.

'It was the most illogical, pathetic and diabolical piece of selecting I've seen.

'I want to hear a proper explanation for this, as do the England cricket fans around the country,' he added in his Daily Mirror column.

Pattinson was the first new cap since the current selection panel of Geoff Miller, James Whitaker and Ashley Giles took over.

Pattinson in action for England during his first cap

Geoff Boycott was also unimpressed with what they came up with as they looked for a swing bowler.

Boycott wrote in the Daily Telegraph: 'He bowled steadily and didn't let anyone down. It is not his fault that he is at the middle of this schemozzle.

'But this was one of the first big decisions taken by England's new selection panel, and they got it badly wrong.

'They need to admit their mistake and realise that wild hunches are no way to build an international cricket team.'

Meanwhile, Sportsmail's own Nasser Hussain has called for someone to take responsibility for the selection.

Hussain: Responsibility should be taken

'There has been a bit too much passing the buck since England were beaten at Headingley,' Hussain said.

'Geoff Miller is in charge of selection but there has to be collective responsibility and we can't forget that it was the players who lost the match.

'The bottom line is that the selectors chose to bring Darren Pattinson into the squad but it was Michael Vaughan, as captain, and coach Peter Moores who decided he should be included in the side.'

He added: 'Ultimately, as captain, you have to take the blame. In Brisbane back in 2002 when I got it wrong with the toss, I put my hands up at the first opportunity. I made it clear it was my fault.

'The captain of any team should always take responsibility, even if there were other people to blame behind the scenes.'