Vaughan keen to play against Kiwis by Cricket Archive Staff Reporter

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Player:	MP Vaughan, SA Twigg, EC Joyce, MB Loye, GD McGrath
Event:	Commonwealth Bank Series 2006/07

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DateLine: 5th February 2007

 

England captain Michael Vaughan is set to make an unexpected return for England in Tuesday's crucial triangular series match against New Zealand in Brisbane. Vaughan seemed certain to miss the rest of the one-day series, but with the English buoyed by Friday's win over Australia and needing to beat the Black Caps to reach the tri-series final, he is out to prove his fitness after a hamstring strain. England will have a net session in Brisbane on Monday morning and provided he emerges unscathed, Vaughan will declare himself available for just his third game of the series. "I have come through four or five days of solid running and as long as I get through tomorrow's practice I will be available for selection," Vaughan said. "I thought I could have played on Friday, but it was a precaution not to." Only last Wednesday, England wicketkeeper Paul Nixon earned a rebuke from team management after declaring Vaughan's comeback series was all but over. Vaughan last played in England's win over New Zealand in Hobart in what was just his second one-day international since knee surgery. He said Tuesday's game was a big one for his side. "We want to try and achieve that consistent performance on a regular basis," he said. "Tuesday will be a real test of how far we have come because it is a must win game to get into the final. I know there has been a lot of talk, people saying we want to go home, but we don't. We want to get into the finals because we feel it will be a real big achievement to reach those finals." Should the 32-year-old be fit, England will need to decide where to play Vaughan, who opened in the first two matches of the tri-series and looked in good touch without making a substantial score. Ed Joyce and Mal Loye have been opening in recent matches and did well against Australia on Friday. Loye is likely to make way, although he has been cleared to play the Black Caps after copping a blow to his chin when he top-edged a slog-sweep off Glenn McGrath on Friday.