Whoskins
29-11-2006, 08:35 AM
Vaughan starts his comeback
November 29, 2006
Herald Sun
SIDELINED England captain Michael Vaughan makes a much-awaited return to competitive cricket today, increasing speculation he may yet play a part in the Ashes series.
Vaughan will play for an England Academy XI against a WA second XI in a one-day game in South Perth in what will be the batsman's first match since May, when he last played for Yorkshire.
Vaughan underwent knee surgery soon after that match, which prevented him being selected in the Ashes squad.
Vaughan arrived in Australia just before the first Test in Brisbane and spent long stints in the practice nets.
The man who led England to its famous Ashes win in 2005 has not played a Test since England played Pakistan in Lahore in November 2005.
England has been coy about Vaughan's movements and the possible dates for his return since the squad arrived in Australia, and coach Duncan Fletcher has played down claims his sidelined skipper could return for the third Test.
"We're still planning that he'll be available for the one-dayers,'' Fletcher said.
"If anything comes earlier than that, then all good and well.
"But this Test series, from my point of view, I don't think he can (play) at this stage.
"I'm not going to say anything about when he can play cricket again until he's played a few games and come out of them feeling 100 per cent because I know that's what Michael Vaughan wants.
"He's hoping to play a few games (in Perth) even if it's a game they (the academy players) fix between themselves.''
Depending on how he performs today, Vaughan may be able to play for England in two tour matches in Perth in early December.
The tourists play the Cricket Australia Chairman's XI at Lilac Hill on December 8, and start a two-day game against Western Australia the next day.
Vaughan remains a long-shot to play in the third Test in Perth, which starts December 14, but he might be better-placed at an attempted return in either the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne or the fifth match in Sydney, which starts January 2.
The triangular one-day series starts January 12.
Vaughan's return could prove a massive psychological boost for the tourists in the lead-up to the second Test in Adelaide, which starts on Friday.
If the 32-year-old right-hander can return to the Test team, he will also provide the side with greater stability at the top of the order, which was weakened when opener Marcus Trescothick flew home a week into the tour because of depression.
Vaughan has an excellent Test record in Australia. He made 633 runs in England's 4-1 series loss in 2002-03 when he was named player of the series.
November 29, 2006
Herald Sun
SIDELINED England captain Michael Vaughan makes a much-awaited return to competitive cricket today, increasing speculation he may yet play a part in the Ashes series.
Vaughan will play for an England Academy XI against a WA second XI in a one-day game in South Perth in what will be the batsman's first match since May, when he last played for Yorkshire.
Vaughan underwent knee surgery soon after that match, which prevented him being selected in the Ashes squad.
Vaughan arrived in Australia just before the first Test in Brisbane and spent long stints in the practice nets.
The man who led England to its famous Ashes win in 2005 has not played a Test since England played Pakistan in Lahore in November 2005.
England has been coy about Vaughan's movements and the possible dates for his return since the squad arrived in Australia, and coach Duncan Fletcher has played down claims his sidelined skipper could return for the third Test.
"We're still planning that he'll be available for the one-dayers,'' Fletcher said.
"If anything comes earlier than that, then all good and well.
"But this Test series, from my point of view, I don't think he can (play) at this stage.
"I'm not going to say anything about when he can play cricket again until he's played a few games and come out of them feeling 100 per cent because I know that's what Michael Vaughan wants.
"He's hoping to play a few games (in Perth) even if it's a game they (the academy players) fix between themselves.''
Depending on how he performs today, Vaughan may be able to play for England in two tour matches in Perth in early December.
The tourists play the Cricket Australia Chairman's XI at Lilac Hill on December 8, and start a two-day game against Western Australia the next day.
Vaughan remains a long-shot to play in the third Test in Perth, which starts December 14, but he might be better-placed at an attempted return in either the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne or the fifth match in Sydney, which starts January 2.
The triangular one-day series starts January 12.
Vaughan's return could prove a massive psychological boost for the tourists in the lead-up to the second Test in Adelaide, which starts on Friday.
If the 32-year-old right-hander can return to the Test team, he will also provide the side with greater stability at the top of the order, which was weakened when opener Marcus Trescothick flew home a week into the tour because of depression.
Vaughan has an excellent Test record in Australia. He made 633 runs in England's 4-1 series loss in 2002-03 when he was named player of the series.