Michael Vaughan's career all but over

Vaughan has repeatedly stated his desire to return to international cricket and tried to structure his winter plans to that effect. But after his emotional resignation speech in August there has been little evidence that his body has responded to his mind’s desire. Both he and Geoff Miller, the national selector, accepted that a volume of runs was necessary to justify a return, but they have not been forthcoming. Those who argued for Vaughan’s return, most notably the newspaper for which he writes and Duncan Fletcher, his former coach with England, did so out of recognition of past achievements and a belief that, as an Ashes-winning captain, Vaughan would be able to sprinkle some magic Ashes-winning dust on this underachieving squad.

Michael Vaughan, in his own article in the Daily Telegraph, admits he understands the reasons for not being picked for the tour of West Indies, and feels his best way to press claims for a recall is by scoring heavily in the pre-season for Yorkshire.

I am not in the England team and Yorkshire now has to be my main concern. I have to knuckle down with them and start the season as well as I can. If that happens then I will put the guys under pressure and still have the chance to play for England again, something that I dearly would like to do during an Ashes summer.

Derek Pringle, writing in the same newspaper, is not surprised that Vaughan wasn't selected for the tour of West Indies, and feels the future prospects for his selection do not look all too encouraging.

Cricinfo's Andrew McGlashan presents his take on Vaughan's chances of a comeback here.