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Michael Vaughan will not tour India, selector says

27/09/2008

Former England captain Michael Vaughan will not be selected for the tour of India and will be given the winter off to rediscover his form.

Vaughan was handed a central contract earlier this month, but national selector Geoff Miller feels the 34-year-old's lack of runs in Test cricket and in the domestic scene for Yorkshire meant there was no way he could be considered to travel to a daunting country like India.

Miller, however, insisted the door had by no means been shut on England's most successful ever skipper and was confident Vaughan would play a major part for England next year – which includes the home Ashes series against Australia.

"Michael's place cannot be justified based on recent form," said Miller. "He fully understands the reasons for the selectors' decision and has made clear to us that he is fully committed to winning back his place in the England Test side," said Miller.

"Our view is that it will be to England's benefit if he takes a break from international cricket in the period leading up to Christmas and spends time working on his game.

"Like all centrally-contracted players, Michael will be given a clear programme over the next six months which will include training and match practice over the winter period.

"With a busy period of international cricket on the horizon, we would like to stress that he remains very much part of our plans over the coming year," added Miller.

Vaughan quit as England captain after the third Test defeat against South Africa in the summer, which meant England lost the series. Vaughan only scored a disappointing 40 runs from five innings against South Africa.

He went back to his county Yorkshire in the hope of finding some form, but he only managed 41 runs from five county innings. Vaughan himself admitted that he was "lucky" to be awarded a central contract.