MICHAEL VAUGHAN Captain, right-hand batsman; right arm off-spin bowler

FACTFILE DOB: 29.12.1974 Team: Yorkshire Test debut: v South Africa, Johannesburg 1999 ODI debut:v Sri Lanka, Dambulle 2001

England's newly appointed captain was ranked top Test batsman in the world following an extraordinary run of form from May 2002 until January 2003.

In 12 Tests he compiled seven Test centuries, four of which have been worth at least 177, against Sri Lanka, India and Australia.

It says something that he was the only candidate for man of the series during the 4-1 Ashes caning meted out by the Aussies.

Photo Gallery: Vaughan's Ashes series in pictures

Standing upright at the crease and playing straight and true, his style is perfectly suited to Test cricket.

And following Nasser Hussain's resignation after one-match of the South Africa series, Vaughan assumed control of the Test team.

His promotion from the ranks comes after a succesful stint as the one-day captain when he won the first two trophies his new-look side competed for.