Vaughan downplays Ashes absence
Michael Vaughan has not played international cricket since January
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Sunday, 10, Sep 2006 07:34
Injured England captain Michael Vaughan has said he will not interfere with Andrew Strauss' captaincy during the forthcoming Ashes tour of Australia.
The 31-year-old Yorkshire player told the Sunday Times newspaper that although he would be visiting the team in order to benefit from the services of England physio Matthew Maynard, he would only be on hand to offer advice if Strauss wanted it.
"I won't go in and say, 'I've won the Ashes, listen to me', but I'm there to speak to anyone if they need advice," Vaughan said.
"I don't think anyone's a wizard who can say, 'This is the way to play', because it's all instinctive when you get out in the middle against a team like Australia. Plans can change every half-hour."
Vaughan has been England's chief casualty from injury since he played in a warm-up game during the side's tour of India at the beginning of this year. He has had four operations on a recurring problem with his right knee, which many cricket pundits have suggested could rule out a successful return to the England side forever.
That attitude is anathema to Vaughan, however. He hopes to be batting in the nets by October and, if all goes well, could be in contention for a place in the new year one-day series.
"If things go incredibly well, there's a small chance I could play in the end of the Ashes, though if it's 1-1 with two to play, I can't see them saying 'have a game' when I won't have played for 12 months," he admitted.
"But who's to say I won't be able to tell them I've scored two hundreds in Perth and I'm available for selection? Whether I get back in, or come back in as captain, is for others to decide."
Vaughan has scored 4,595 runs at an average of 42.94 in his Test career for England.