Content Vaughan targets two more Ashes

	Michael Vaughan has been consistent since returning from injury last year © Getty Images

Michael Vaughan is preparing to head out to New Zealand to lead England's Test team with a huge drive to ensure he is around to captain the side in next year's Ashes and also has ambitions to play until the 2010-11 series in Australia.

After England's 1-0 defeat against Sri Lanka, their second consecutive series loss following the 1-0 reversal against India, there have been a few murmurings that Vaughan's captaincy spell may come under pressure, especially with the one-day side under Paul Collingwood showing promising improvement.

With the bat, though, Vaughan has proved his worth since returning to the Test side last summer against West Indies. He scored two centuries last year - a memorable ton on his comeback at Headingley and a stylish 124 against India at Trent Bridge - and feels he could have had plenty more runs to his name.

"I know I am good enough to be there," Vaughan told the Press Association at an Urban Cricket event in Sheffield. "That's never ever been in question.

"In the nine games since I have come back and played, I have probably found a rhythm to bat in that I have not had for a few years, which is a really great sign. I could have even averaged 75-80 with the way I played. I had two or three opportunities to go on and get 150s, 200s, massive scores and I didn't take them."

"If I can continue to play in that rhythm and form, I believe there will be a purple patch around the corner where I get big scores on the trot," he said. "Whether I am there in 2009 - it is still a long way off - I still have ambition to go on beyond it.

"I don't just think 2009 will be it for me, I look maybe at the Australians in Australia the time after that. I would like to still be playing in that."

However, if he is around for the next trip down under he doesn't think it will be as captain. He first took up the role in 2003 and would like to end his career purely as a batsman.

"I don't think I will do it [captaincy] for that stretch," said Vaughan. "I really would love to play as a non-captain towards the latter stages of my career. I love the captaincy but I also wouldn't mind having a 'do' eventually at just playing.

"That's why I have enjoyed this little six-week period out of the game when I can just focus on me, if you like: get my body and form to the standard I want it to be at, arrive in New Zealand fitter, and I probably will do, than I have been for years and years.

"When I get there, I have to look after all the team so, in these little periods I have, I have to make sure I look after myself and arrive in decent form."