Michael Vaughan and The Ashes

[Ernest]

Well the thread is about Vaughan - yet goes off topic a little with Giles, so yes your post did need re-reading.

Originally Posted by Rachael on Vaughan

On Vaughan: he's still recognised as the England captain (not least by Flintoff) so Idon't see why he shouldn't be talking about the timing of his return - though it will be interesting to see who makesway for him!

Two things here. did you really believe Flintoff when he said he recognised Vaughan as being still England captain?, well I watched that interview and so did Vaughan, and Vaughan did not look best pleased.
IMO the last person Flintoff wants to see in the England side is Vaughan, means he would no longer be captain - maybe.
Now this was what threw me in my original post,

Originally Posted by Rachael

That depends on Flintoff: if the big man is fully fit and ready to lead the attack then England can play Collingwood at 6, Flintoff at 7 and Read at 8 ahead of three specialist bowlers.

Yes well now I get it, I take it you mean if Panesar plays, well the same applies - how can you play Flintoff at 7, when history and Fletcher tells us that he was a disaster there having to slog with only the tail to bat with.
He has topped the specialist batsmens averages when batting at 6.

[Vrock]

I watched Vaughan's interview and in no way was he stating "I will be in the side for the last test, guaranteed" [if he is fit, of course].

Vaughan actually made the point, himself, that he still needs to actually be selected even if he is fit. He did say it with a kind of nervous laugh you see in interviews, although maybe he's not quite sure how to tackle that kind of question, given the circumstances of his position in the side as captain, and also the factors that restrict both Flintoff and Strauss as future captains.

He still hasn't started twisting and turning on his knee (simply running in a straight line so far) so there is very little that can be set in stone yet for his return.

It's more likely the ECB will take zero risks for the final two tests, even the VB series. You never know, we might have lost the series by then anyway...

p.s. If there are parts of this post that make no sense, I am sorry, I'm a bit tired so I'm not quite functioning at the usual 3.1%.

[Collyisamackem]

Speaking of fitness, I'm not sure if he just walks in an awkward way, but when I saw Harmison on the plane on Thursday he looked to be walking a little uneasily. Maybe I was just scrutinising him too much...big guys do tend to be more gangly in their walking style anyway...