<p class="title">Former captain Michael Vaughan on Friday branded Jonny Bairstow's claim that people are waiting for England cricket team to fail at the World Cup as "negative" and "pathetic".</p>.<p class="bodytext">England opener Bairstow was responding to criticism from Vaughan and fellow ex-skipper Kevin Pietersen after the hosts suffered consecutive losses against Sri Lanka and Australia.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Pietersen said current skipper Eoin Morgan was "scared" in the 64-run defeat by Australia, while Bairstow was played a radio clip of Vaughan saying England could be heading for their worst World Cup.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Morgan's side now face an uphill task to reach the semi-finals, with tough matches to come against India and New Zealand.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"People were waiting for us to fail," said Bairstow.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"They are not willing us on to win, in many ways, they are waiting for you to get that loss, so they can jump on your throat.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"It's a typical English thing to do, in every sport." But Vaughan hit back on Friday, saying the team had huge backing.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"How wrong can @jbairstow21 be," Vaughan posted on his Instagram account.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Never has England team had so much support but it's you and your team that has disappointed Jonny."</p>.<p class="bodytext">"WIN 2 games and you are in the semis .. With this negative, pathetic mindset I am concerned though.. it's not the media's fault you have lost 3 games .. !!!"</p>.<p class="bodytext">England, who have never won the World Cup, entered the competition as favourites but their much-vaunted batting line-up has stuttered badly in the past two games.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The host nation are fourth in the group table -- the last of the semi-final places -- but are looking over their shoulder at Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. </p>
<p class="title">Former captain Michael Vaughan on Friday branded Jonny Bairstow's claim that people are waiting for England cricket team to fail at the World Cup as "negative" and "pathetic".</p>.<p class="bodytext">England opener Bairstow was responding to criticism from Vaughan and fellow ex-skipper Kevin Pietersen after the hosts suffered consecutive losses against Sri Lanka and Australia.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Pietersen said current skipper Eoin Morgan was "scared" in the 64-run defeat by Australia, while Bairstow was played a radio clip of Vaughan saying England could be heading for their worst World Cup.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Morgan's side now face an uphill task to reach the semi-finals, with tough matches to come against India and New Zealand.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"People were waiting for us to fail," said Bairstow.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"They are not willing us on to win, in many ways, they are waiting for you to get that loss, so they can jump on your throat.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"It's a typical English thing to do, in every sport." But Vaughan hit back on Friday, saying the team had huge backing.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"How wrong can @jbairstow21 be," Vaughan posted on his Instagram account.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Never has England team had so much support but it's you and your team that has disappointed Jonny."</p>.<p class="bodytext">"WIN 2 games and you are in the semis .. With this negative, pathetic mindset I am concerned though.. it's not the media's fault you have lost 3 games .. !!!"</p>.<p class="bodytext">England, who have never won the World Cup, entered the competition as favourites but their much-vaunted batting line-up has stuttered badly in the past two games.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The host nation are fourth in the group table -- the last of the semi-final places -- but are looking over their shoulder at Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. </p>