DOB:29.10.74 County:Yorkshire Test debut: 1st Test v South Africa, Johannesburg 1999/00 One-day international debut: v Pakistan, Old Trafford 2001 Right hand batsman, right arm off-spin bowler

When Mike Atherton retired at the end of last summer, it was deemed a natural progression for Vaughan to replace him at the top of the England batting order, having registered his maiden Test century (120) against Pakistan.

As events transpired, however, he had to wait for his chance as Mark Butcher went in first with Marcus Trescothick in the three Tests in India - Vaughan making 64 in Bangalore before joing the list of players to be given out 'handled the ball'.

The Trescothick-Vaughan partnership was finally tried in New Zealand and it was not an unqualified success.

They had only one half century stand in Wellington to show for their combined efforts but both were at their best against Sri Lanka earlier this summer, with Vaughan scoring 285 runs in the three Tests, including an innings of 115 at Lord's.