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Vaughan targets Ashes comeback

12/11/2008

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has admitted his aim is to return to the international fold in time to compete for a place in the 2009 Ashes series squad.

The Yorkshire opener was selected in the England Performance Squad for this winter's tour of India, which will feature a couple of days' training with the senior team in between the two Test matches.

Vaughan has already been told he is not being considered for selection for any of the first-class matches on the sub-continent but the selectors have dangled the carrot of a place in the squad for the West Indies trip next spring.

However, Vaughan is in no doubt which series he is targetting as his main aim over the next 12 months.

"To get back in and try and play in the Ashes - that would be the pinnacle,” said Vaughan, who captained England during their historic 2005 victory against Australia.

"I just want to try and do as well as I can and get that feeling of batting and scoring runs again. I'm sure it will be just around the corner.

"Ultimately, I'd love another go at Australia and beyond that."

When he stepped down as captain in the summer, after losing the opening two Test matches against South Africa, Vaughan's future in an England shirt was questioned by many pundits.

However, he claims that after taking a break and returning to his county towards the end of the summer he is now refreshed and ready to play for his place again under his successor as skipper, Kevin Pietersen.

"I've had a good break, it's a break that I would have had at this time of year anyway, so I feel ready to get back and hopefully try and push for a place in the England side," he added.