Vaughan delays decision on Ashes goodwill

Ricky Ponting's pre-series handshake of goodwill, which encourages batsmen to take the word of the fielder in close catches, has not yet been accepted by Michael Vaughan. In a gentlemanly opening to each tour, Ponting has offered the proposal to rival captains as he tries to lift the spirit of the game and chop the number of referrals to the third umpire, which are often inconclusive.

Vaughan stood his ground at Adelaide in 2002-03 when Justin Langer claimed a catch on 19, but he was reprieved by the technology and went on to score 177. "We'll be talking about it before the Ashes start," Vaughan told AAP. "I'm sure we'll sit down and have a discussion. I think there's [a match-referee's meeting] on Tuesday. Maybe we'll talk about it then."

The delayed decision shows the tough attitude of England under Vaughan's captaincy, which included an unbeaten year in 2004. While Vaughan was tight-lipped about the catching issue, he said he wanted his side prepared for the first Test at Lord's on July 21. "What is important over the next three or four weeks is that individuals play well and get some runs," he said, "and take some wickets against Australia and gain some individual confidence."