Vaughan would 'dearly love' to play Ashes

Michael Vaughan has said he "would dearly like" to be part of the England side during next year's Ashes after missing out on the tour of the Caribbean. He also wrote, in his column in the Daily Telegraph, that he turned down the chance to tour New Zealand with the England Lions and instead focus on getting runs for Yorkshire as the best route to a national recall.

Opinion had been divided over whether Vaughan should be included in the touring party to the West Indies, but Vaughan said he "understood" the decision to exclude him. Vaughan was expected to press his case for selection during the Lions' visit to India last month, but the tour had been called off after the Mumbai terrorist attacks.

"I still feel I am mentally fresh and dangerous as a player," he wrote. "Now I just want to bide my time and enjoy a proper, settled pre-season with Yorkshire. Preparing for the summer and scoring runs at the start of the season is the best way for me to force my way back into the England side.

"If that happens then I will put the guys under pressure and still have the chance to play for England again."

Vaughan, 34, was looking forward to being a part of Yorkshire's Pro-Arch Trophy defence in Sharjah next March. Last season, Andrew Flintoff had played in the tournament during his bid to come back to the national fold after a long injury lay-off.