VAUGHAN IS AXED

MICHAEL VAUGHAN has been axed from the BBC’s Ashes coverage over the Yorkshire racism investigation.

The BBC insisted allegations made against him as part of the scandal rendered his involvement in their coverage “inappropriate”.

A statement said: “While he is involved in a significant story in cricket, for editorial reasons we do not believe that it would be appropriate for Michael Vaughan to have a role in our Ashes team or wider coverage of the sport at the moment.”

The Beeb said it took the decision to avoid a potential “conflict of interest” after England player Adil Rashid backed Azeem Rafiq’s allegation that Vaughan made a racist comment to four Asian players in 2009.

Rafiq has subsequently had to apologise for anti-semitic comments of his own and Vaughan denied the allegation. But the BBC statement continued: “We require our contributors to talk about relevant topics and his involvement in the Yorkshire story represents a conflict of interest.” The former England captain will still be commentating on the series for an Australian channel. Vaughan (inset) posted on Instagram: “Very disappointed not to be commentating for Test Match Special on the Ashes and will miss working with great colleagues and friends, but looking forward to being behind the mic for Fox Cricket in Australia.

“The issues facing cricket are bigger than any individual case and I want to be part of the solution, listening, educating myself and helping to make it a more welcoming sport for all.”

With the Ashes looming Stuart Broad has hailed the recruitment of bowling guru Troy Cooley as a major coup.

The fast bowling coach is set to give the lowdown on the Aussies after being ditched by Cricket Australia in August.

Broad, with 524 Test wickets to his name, said: “He can give us great insight into Australian batters’ mentality – whether you talk to them, ignore them, or sledge them. Can you annoy them enough to make a mistake?

“We’ll be picking Troy’s brain.”