Vaughan warns Pietersen against trappings of fame

Michael Vaughan has urged Kevin Pietersen to remain grounded after attaining celebrity status © Getty Images

Michael Vaughan, the England captain, has urged Kevin Pietersen to not get carried away by his newfound celebrity status following his success in this summer's legendary Ashes series.

"As long as we can keep him grounded and he doesn't get too carried away with his celebrity status, this young man can become one of the very best," Vaughan wrote in his autobiography, Calling the Shots. Vaughan also admitted that he was initially wary of how much Pietersen could contribute at the international level. "I wondered if he was just a banger but those doubts were dispelled once I spent a bit of time with him in the middle."

A lot of attention was paid to Pietersen and his model girlfriend Caprice at the ICC Awards in Sydney this week, where the cameras clicked away as the couple smiled endlessly. Vaughan has also warned Pietersen about the increased focus on Pietersen's private life.

Vaughan has also spoken of his doubts over the longevity of Steve Harmison's career owing to the fast bowler's trouble with homesickness, and considers it unlikely that his fast bowler will continue beyond the age of 30. "I'd love to see [him] carry on for decades, but I'm realistic enough to know it probably won't happen," he said. "Indeed, I'd be surprised if Steve plays past his 30th birthday. I think he will continue long enough to earn what he needs to keep himself and his family for the rest of his life."

Harmison, England's most potent bowling weapon when in form, first came to prominence in England's 2003-04 tour of the West Indies. He took nine wickets in the first Test, including a devastating second-innings performance of 7 for 12, and consistently menaced the West Indian batsmen - in particular, Brian Lara. His success continued throughout the 2004 season against New Zealand and, again, West Indies.

But it was during England's tour of South Africa the following winter that doubts increased over his ability to perform at the highest level away from England, and away from his young family. His nine wickets each cost 73.22 runs - a performance the absolute polar opposite of his previous 14 Tests, in which he took 76 wickets at just 20.51.

He has never been shy to admit his trouble in touring, however. On arriving in Australia earlier this week, he said: "I don't like travelling full stop - that's just me and I'll never change, but I haven't had a problem going on tour and I've performed well on most tours I've been on..." After the Super Test, Harmison will join England in Pakistan on October 26.

Calling the Shots (Hodder & Stoughton) is published tomorrow - buy it now.