Vaughan could join performance squad tour to India

Michael Vaughan could tour India later this year as part of the England Performance squad, according to national selector Geoff Miller.

As expected, Vaughan was missing from England’s 15-man squad, announced on Monday, to take on India in a two-Test series in December.

Despite being awarded a central contract by the England and Wales Cricket board earlier this month, Vaughan is taking a three-month break from Test cricket after the Yorkshire batsman struggled to regain his form following his decision to step down as England captain.

It has been suggested that Vaughan might join up with the England Performance team in India or play in South Africa or Australia to try to rediscover his form that saw him become one of England’s best batsmen.

Miller has revealed the 34-year-old could be involved with England’s second-string as part of his rehabilitation.

“It is a possibility that he could link up with the Performance Squad, we could use that,” he told Sky Sports News. There’s a lot of opportunities for him to play.

“It’s all about winning matches and sessions and we’ll look after Vaughan as much as we can. We could look at that or send him out somewhere in the world.

“We see him as an integral part of our plans. There’s lots of cricket coming up. He’s played for England for 10 years and deserves a bit of a break.”

“Andrew Strauss came back and did well after a break and Vaughan will hopefully do that as well. “Going abroad might put his mind right. We will organise where he goes so he can try and get back in the side. We know what he is capable of.”

Miller added that Kevin Pietersen, Vaughan’s replacement as captain, was relishing the upcoming tour.

“He (Pietersen) is very competitive. He wants to win home and away,” Miller said. “He’ll be looking forward to doing well in India. We have faith in him as much as we have in the rest of the side.”

LONDON, Tuesday, AFP