England players enjoy some beach cricket with fans in Barbados

England's historic third Test victory over West Indies had fans looking forward to the 2005 Ashes at home.

But the England skipper warned: "We still have a long way to go to become a fantastic team and that's what Australia are at the moment.

"I'm not saying we can't win (the Ashes) back, but we'll have to play out of our skins to do it in 2005."

Vaughan said the winter tour to Australia in 2007 was a more realistic target for England to win the Ashes for the first time since 1986-87.

"We will set out to do it in 2005, but it's going to be a big ask because the Australians are going to have all their experienced players playing probably for the last time," he said.

The retired Waugh will not be there to defend the Ashes next year

"If we keep the same team Simon Jones will only have played about 20 games and Steve Harmison around 35 so 2007 is probably a better chance for us."

Vaughan said it was the dream of every England cricketer to beat Australia, but warned there were other challenges to be met first.

"We all want the Ashes back and we also realise we're a long way off getting them back at the moment.

"It's a goal we're all working towards but don't under-estimate New Zealand in May - they're going to be a very good test for us because they're a very experienced team."

Vaughan was trying to keep his feet on the ground amid the euphoria surrounding England's first Test series win in the Caribbean since 1968.

"Our bowling attack is inexperienced and they are bowling fantastically well at the moment, but we will go through a period when we don't quite get it right and I will be realistic with that as well," he reasoned.