Vaughan 'gutted' to fall three short of 200

Michael Vaughan could not hide his disappointment at missing a double century, although he regards the 197 he made against India at Trent Bridge as the best innings of his life.

It was Vaughan's highest first-class score and his third since he was handed the England opening slot on the tour of New Zealand earlier this year.

"To be honest it was just one of those days when everything seemed to hit the middle of the bat," said Vaughan. "I would say it's the best I have ever played especially given the situation in the game - it was important someone got a big score after India got 357.

"This is a ground where there are a lot of boundaries to be had, the feet moved as well as they have all summer and I just felt in good touch. I have never hit it as clean as I did today. When I got out I sat in the dressing room for two or three minutes, and I was gutted I didn't get the double.

"But if you had offered me that score at 11.50am I would have ripped your hand off."

Asked whether he could carry the performance through to this winter's Ashes series, he said: "It's probably everyone's dream to play against the Australians. But this Indian team is very dangerous so first and foremost we have to think about them.

"This game is evenly poised; if they come out and get a couple of early wickets they will feel right back in it. If we get somewhere near 500 we can put some pressure on."