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Vaughan rejects distraction claim Three vying for England captaincy
(about 2 hours later)
Michael Vaughan has denied that his presence in Australia has distracted stand-in England skipper Andrew Flintoff and the rest of the squad. Michael Vaughan believes there are three candidates for the England captaincy for the Commonwealth Bank one-day tournament in the New Year.
Critics claimed Vaughan, who is in Australia recovering from a knee injury, undermined England during their disappointing Ashes campaign. Vaughan told BBC Radio Five Live: "There's myself, there's Andrew Flintoff and there's Andrew Strauss to think of as being the captain.
"I really have tried to stay as far away from it as I can," said Vaughan. "Andrew Flintoff was given the job for the whole of the Test series and he seems to be doing a good job.
"Let's see how we go in the next two games then they'll make a decision."
Vaughan took over as England captain from Nasser Hussain in 2003, and has brought huge success in the Test arena.
But he has been less effective as a leader in one-day cricket, where his batting form has also struggled.
This year, Vaughan has been out with a knee injury, with the captaincy passing to Flintoff, and in the summer to Strauss when Flintoff was injured.
But Vaughan said he did not have a divine right to be captain.
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He said: "I'm happy to be back playing. If the captaincy comes my way then of course, but I'm just happy to be back in the squad.
"I'm quite cool. If people want me to do something they'll come and ask me. I will never go saying to you guys (journalists) that I should be England captain.
"It's a very presitigious position and something I love doing. It's something Andrew Flintoff loves doing and something Andrew Strauss loves doing and I'm no different from them."
Vaughan has denied that his presence in Australia has distracted Flintoff's ability to captain the side in the Ashes.
"I really have tried to stay as far away from it as I can," he said.
"I know some people have said I've been a distraction but I haven't really been around the grounds.""I know some people have said I've been a distraction but I haven't really been around the grounds."
Vaughan is still England's first-choice captain but has not led his side in a Test for more than a year because of injury. Vaughan said it was frustrating not being able to have an influence in the Ashes series.
However, he has taken part in team training sessions in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth - a move which prompted former England seam bowler Angus Fraser to say "Vaughan should have done his rehabilitation in England and then South Africa". He said: "I've been in Perth working with the Academy and medical team there and I've enjoyed being around groups of lads aspiring to play for England.
I'm probably going to have to work hard on my right knee for the rest of my career Michael Vaughan I'm probably going to have to work hard on my right knee for the rest of my career
Flintoff has led the side in Vaughan's absence but has been unable to prevent Australia regaining the Ashes with a 3-0 series lead.
"It's been frustrating because I want to be involved and playing," added Vaughan.
"I've been in Perth working with the Academy and medical team there and I've enjoyed being around groups of lads aspiring to play for England.
"Hopefully being with them, a little bit of my input will help their careers as well.""Hopefully being with them, a little bit of my input will help their careers as well."
Vaughan is poised to make his international return after being named in the 16-man squad to face New Zealand and Australia in the triangular tournament in the new year. Vaughan could make his England comeback in the first Commonwealth Bank Series match on 12 January against Australia in Melbourne.
And Vaughan is confident his knee will be able to cope with the rigours of international one-day cricket. He is confident his knee will be able to cope with the rigours of international one-day cricket.
"I wouldn't put myself up for selection if I didn't think I could get through it," he said. "I'm very positive with the way it's gone."I wouldn't put myself up for selection if I didn't think I could get through it," he said. "I'm very positive with the way it's gone.
"Sometimes you train in the gym harder than you do on a cricket pitch and I've got through all that with no reaction and hopefully it will carry on like that when I play a few more games."Sometimes you train in the gym harder than you do on a cricket pitch and I've got through all that with no reaction and hopefully it will carry on like that when I play a few more games.
"There were always little periods where I didn't think I was going to get to represent my country again."There were always little periods where I didn't think I was going to get to represent my country again.
"There is still a fair way to go before I do that, but I've just got to continue to work hard."There is still a fair way to go before I do that, but I've just got to continue to work hard.
"I'm probably going to have to work hard on my right knee for the rest of my career, but it feels different to the last time I tried to play cricket, which is a good sign.""I'm probably going to have to work hard on my right knee for the rest of my career, but it feels different to the last time I tried to play cricket, which is a good sign."