Vaughan must life his team for one final effort

Vaughan questioned whether the county game made players mentally tough enough for international cricket following England's 191-run defeat by South Africa at Headingley.

But Elliott insisted the fault lay with the England players themselves.

"We have done everything for them. We have given them central contracts, brought in two divisions in the County Championship and National League, made one-day cricket 45 overs etc.

"They have got all the help in the world with physios, psycho-analysts, dieticians and managers.

"They've got everything and they still can't get out there and play the game. I think they should look internally rather than complain about English county cricket," said Elliott.

The England team are now regrouping ahead of the final Test of the summer at The Oval next week.

HAVE YOUR SAY Michael Vaughan would do well to keep quiet and let his bat do the talking From Sundaram KR Join the TMS debate

They must win to share the series 2-2 and the selectors have a number of issues to resolve before the squad is announced on Friday.

Among them is a decision on whether to gamble of the fitness of former captain Nasser Hussain, who has a broken toe, and the make-up of the bowling attack.

Elliott, meanwhile, has queried whether to best preparation for centrally contracted players is to have them "idling around" between games instead of playing for their counties.

Vaughan, Mark Butcher, Alec Stewart and Steve Harmison have been cleared to play one-day National League cricket this weekend.

But James Anderson, Andrew Flintoff and Marcus Trescothick will not see any competitive action before the Test squad gathers at The Oval on Monday.

"I am in favour of central contracts but I think the system should be fine-tuned," said Elliott.