Vaughan returns in style
Michael Vaughan quietened speculation over his fitness and knee injury with a match-winning 67 for Yorkshire, in his first match since undergoing surgery on his right knee just before Christmas last year
Cricinfo staff
29-May-2006
Yorkshire 160 for 4 D/L (Vaughan 67) beat Scotland 212 for 9 (Smith 71) by six wickets
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Michael Vaughan quietened speculation over his fitness and knee injury with a match-winning 67 for Yorkshire, in his first match since undergoing surgery on his right knee just before Christmas last year. Although it was an encouraging comeback for Vaughan, he remained understandably cautious over making any grand statements about his availability for England.
Vaughan withdrew from England's tour of India and, ever since, speculation over his availability for England this summer - not to mention his future as a Test batsman - has been rife, with ambiguous reports from physiotherapists, former players and coaches confusing matters. For the time being, at least, he appears to have come through his first serious test with flying colours.
His run-a-ball 67 led Yorkshire to a convincing six-wicket win over Scotland in their C&G Trophy match at Headingley. Yorkshire were set a revised target of 158 from a maximum of 30 overs, and Vaughan was soon at the crease when Matthew Wood fell for just nine. After getting off the mark with a quick single, he soon found his touch, creaming nine fours and a huge six off Dewald Nel which sailed into the West Stand. Though he fell to an astonishing catch by Gavin Hamilton, his former team-mate at Yorkshire, Matthew Lumb and Anthony McGrath saw Yorkshire home comfortably with three overs to spare.
Despite the encouraging news, Vaughan remained cautious at setting a date for his return to England colours. "I must stress that this is the beginning - I won't be playing for England on Friday," he said. "I need to get through a few games to test it out thoroughly over a two or three-week period.
"I'll try to play all the games I can for Yorkshire and see how it reacts to some four-day cricket. I felt good. In my own mind I've been confident over the last two weeks," he said. "I haven't said anything because I didn't want to then have another setback. I kept very quiet and told all the team who were helping me to keep quiet.
"I wouldn't have played today if I didn't think I could do a good job for Yorkshire. You have to give this game a lot of respect. I've felt in tremendous form with my batting, doing a lot in the nets," he admitted. "You know it's only nets and you have to produce it in the middle. But I felt as good as I have done for a long time in the middle today."
His next match, assuming there are no adverse reactions to today's game, is Yorkshire's Championship game against Hampshire on Wednesday - against none other than Shane Warne, the Hampshire captain.