Captain Vaughan says pressure is on England in NZ series
Michael Vaughan is under pressure following successive Test defeats
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Monday, 03, Mar 2008 10:35
Michael Vaughan has admitted his team are under pressure to perform against New Zealand after successive Test series defeats.
England have won only three of their last eight series since winning the Ashes in 2005 and have lost their last two, at home to India last summer and in Sri Lanka before Christmas.
With the 2009 Ashes series coming up, the England Test captain knows the team need to build up some momentum, starting against New Zealand in the first Test in Hamilton on Tuesday.
"We have to look to develop a team now that can beat New Zealand here, beat New Zealand at home and beat South Africa and really progress towards those Ashes in 2009," said Vaughan.
"That is a long way off but the building blocks and the stabilisation of the team should be starting now if we're really going to have a chance of winning those Ashes next year."
Andrew Strauss is recalled to the squad following his impressive century in last week's warm-up match, while wicketkeeper Tim Ambrose makes his debut.
England's biggest problem since the Ashes success has been a constantly changing line-up.
Ambrose is the fourth keeper used in Tests by England since Alec Stewart retired in 2003 and Vaughan is hoping England find a constant starting XI soon.
"We do need to get to that settled side, which we had a few years ago but we haven't had it for a while. The sooner we get to becoming a settled side everyone will be happier," he said.