Vaughan out for West Indies tour

Former captain Michael Vaughan has been left out of the England squad to face West Indies but remains in contention for next year’s Ashes series against Australia.

Since the 34-year-old Vaughan tearfully resigned the captaincy in August, the batsman registered just 43 runs in four innings for Yorkshire, which now doesn’t have a competitive fixture until April.

“Michael Vaughan has not yet had an opportunity to prove his form in order to be considered for selection for the test side,” national selector Geoff Miller said. “He does, however, remain very much in our thoughts as we continue to plan for the (Ashes).

“He will play a full part in Yorkshire’s preseason program which will include a tour to Dubai and we will continue to monitor his form closely once the domestic season begins in April.”

That leaves Owais Shah - England’s most consistent batsman during the one-day series in India - to challenge Ian Bell for the No. 3 position for the four tests and five one-day internationals against the West Indies.

Bell has averaged just 20.2 runs in his last five games as England’s No. 3, but Miller insisted that “you don’t become a bad player overnight.”

LONDON, AP