Vaughan supports squad decision

Michael Vaughan: 'There weren't really any tough decisions and the selectors would not have taken any risks on fitness' © Getty Images

Michael Vaughan has supported the England selectors' decision to pick players for the Ashes tour who have yet to prove their fitness. Andrew Flintoff, Ashley Giles and James Anderson are three who have missed all or most of the past season with injury.

Liam Plunkett and Steve Harmison also struggled with injury at the back end of the summer, while Marcus Trescothick pulled out of the Champions Trophy with a stress-related illness. However Vaughan, recovering from a knee operation after also missing the majority of the season, backed the selectors judgment.

"I spoke to the selectors quite regularly about the squad and it was one of the easiest Ashes touring parties you could possibly pick," Vaughan told the Yorkshire Post. "There weren't really any tough decisions and the selectors would not have taken any risks on fitness.

"They must be very, very confident because they would not take risks for such a big series, and although people will always have their views as to whether certain players should be included, the squad is right in my opinion."

Vaughan also believes England have a great chance of retaining the Ashes. He added: "It won't be easy, but I think we've got one hell of a good chance. Australia will be at home, so they will have a little bit of a head start, but I don't think any of our players will be fazed by that."

On a personal front, Vaughan has set himself the target of returning to action in the VB Series, which follows the end of the Ashes in January. "I'm just about to build up my running and hope to be back playing again during the one-day series in Australia in January."

England begin their Ashes tour with a one-day warm-up match in Canberra on November 10, then have two three-day matches ahead of the first Test, at the Gabba, on November 23.