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Vaughan admits he was lucky to get central contract

14/09/2008

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has admitted he was lucky to be awarded a central contract by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

There are only 12 full-time contracts awarded each year and Vaughan has been guaranteed one of them for the next 12 months despite falling out of the Test side since he stepped down as captain.

It remains to be seen if he is named in the Test squad to Tour India in December, which would justify his contract, or whether he will be given time to play club cricket and try and find some form.

Although Vaughan scored 106 against New Zealand in the first Test match of the summer the Yorkshire batsman struggled in his three matches against South Africa, averaging just eight.

In light of his recent form Vaughan told the BBC: "The central contract is a huge bonus, if I am honest I think I am lucky."

"I haven't got the runs properly to justify that position. I think it has shown a hell of a lot of faith.

"But over the last year and a half I have had some excellent innings. I have had some good times with the bat not too long ago."

Vaughan feels the central contract represents the selectors' faith in his ability to get back to his best form without the burden of captaining the side as well.

He said: "I think they have just repaid the fact that if I get back into form I think I can still play a huge part in the England cricket team."

Whether he makes it into the squad for the tour of India or not Vaughan has targeted the Ashes series as something he wants to be involved in next summer.

"I want to play for England - that is my goal over the next 12 months, to make sure I get that one last crack.

"It will be one last chance to hopefully go out there and try to score some Test hundreds."

Vaughan could be a useful weapon against Australia if he can rediscover some of his form as he currently averages 47 against them in Test matches.