'I won't get in Pietersen's way' - Vaughan

Michael Vaughan, the former England captain, believes his presence in the team will not put additional pressure on Kevin Pietersen, his successor. The two are known to share a good rapport and many believe Pietersen was instrumental in the selectors handing Vaughan a central contract despite his poor form in recent Tests.

"There would be absolutely no problem," Vaughan told the Sunday Mirror. "I would not get in KP's [Pietersen's] way, or in his hair, at all. Perhaps some people might feel it would be difficult to have the ex-captain around but I don't. And I'm sure KP wouldn't either.

"When I took over from Nasser Hussain, he was still in the team, and it was a little strange having him standing in the field watching what I was doing. But it really wasn't a problem." Hussain played 11 Tests under Vaughan, with England winning six and losing three.

Vaughan is yet to play under Pietersen, having opted out of the final Test against South Africa at The Oval in August. He had stepped down from captaincy following the loss at Edgbaston, which sealed the series for South Africa. Vaughan averaged 9.33 runs in six innings during the Tests and was not part of the England's side that won the subsequent one-day series 4-0.

He is trying to impress the selectors with his performances for Yorkshire in order to secure a berth on the tour to India this winter. Vaughan scored 115 runs in five innings since the Edgbaston Test but is likely to miss the county's final game in the Championship against Sussex which starts on Wednesday. Vaughan strained a side muscle while bowling in the draw against Somerset, and didn't take the field during the final session on Saturday due to a sore knee. Yorkshire are in danger of being relegated to Division Two.