The fall-out from England's ten-wicket defeat at Headingley continued today, with three former captains demanding the selectors explain their "confused" selection of Darren Pattinson, the Nottinghamshire seamer.

Just as it had when England named their side last Friday morning, discussion in the wake of defeat has centered on Pattinson, with Michael Vaughan, the captain, admitting that he was surprised by the left-field choice of a 29-year-old bowler with only 11 first-class games behind him.

The beleaguered England captain even went as far as to suggest the changes, and Pattinson's surprise inclusion, had unsettled the squad.

Following the defeat, Sir Ian Botham has led the criticism of the selectors, claiming their decisions were "appalling, embarrassing and downright wrong".

"The England team selection on Friday knocked me sideways," Botham said. "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."

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

"He bowled steadily and didn't let anyone down," Boycott said. "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."

And Nasser Hussain has expressed his disappointment, and called for someone to come forward and take responsibility.

"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."