Vaughan lasted just seven balls in the one-day game in Perth

Vaughan, who has not played for England for a year and had knee surgery in June, was caught behind for the England Academy against a Western Australia XI.

He hopes to be fit for the fourth Ashes Test on 26 December and said: "It's a huge positive that I am back playing.

"It is slightly disappointing I didn't get any runs but today was all about getting back to playing cricket."

Academy: Michael Vaughan on the role of captaincy

Interview: England's Michael Vaughan

The 32-year-old batsman added: "It is the early stages of the comeback, but six months ago I never thought I would get back to the stage of playing cricket again.

606: DEBATE Bringing Vaughan back too early surely has to be detrimental to both the England team and himself AD 606: Have your say

"It was a really tough time. Thankfully I've got to this stage and next week I hope to get a few runs and spend a little bit more time in the middle."

Vaughan, who led England to Ashes glory last year, fielded in two one-hour spells as the Western Australia XI scored 218-8 in their innings, placing an ice pack on his knee while he took some time out.

And when he came in to bat, with his young team-mates toiling on 2-4, he edged a Darren Wates outswinger as he pushed forward tentatively.

The real test will be when I have to spend the whole day in the field or bat for five hours - to see how the knee responds to that Michael Vaughan

But although he admitted to feeling pain, he insisted his recovery was going to plan and will be stepped up in another game for the Academy next week.

"It's my first game back - that's why I only fielded for 35 overs," Vaughan explained.

"Over the next few days I will be having plenty of practice and I hope to play a full part in next Wednesday's game."

Although the Boxing Day Melbourne Test has been mooted as a possible international comeback date, there have even been suggestions that he could be drafted in for the third Test.

That takes place in Perth, where Vaughan made his return in Wednesday's one-dayer.

But the Yorkshire star refused to make any predictions, saying: "I honestly don't know, this is the first day of what has been a long rehab programme.

"I just have to look to train hard over the next week, play the game next Wednesday and look to play a few more games and see where it takes us.

"The real test will be when I have to spend the whole day in the field or bat for five hours - to see how the knee responds to that."