Player Profile: Michael Vaughan

Vaughan is virtually unique as a non-Australian who averages more Down Under than anywhere else.The elegant right-hander cemented his arrival on the Test scene during the last Ashes series in 2002-03, racking up three huge centuries on the way to 633 runs amid the chaos of England's abject humiliation.The ability to keep his head while all about him were losing theirs immediately marked out Vaughan as the obvious successor to Nasser Hussain and he assumed the ODI captaincy following the political shambles of the 2003 World Cup.Instant success helped convince Hussain to relinquish the role at Test level and the Manchester-born Yorkshire batsman has enjoyed unimaginable success in the two years since.Taking over after a crushing Lord's defeat by South Africa, Vaughan salvaged that series before respectable tours of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.There followed an astonishing run of 11 wins and two draws in 13 2004 Test matches, a run that included whitewashes of New Zealand and West Indies on home turf.A first series win in South Africa for 40 years cemented Vaughan's reputation as an outstanding captain with innovative yet aggressive tactics and superb man-management the hallmarks of his leadership.His success has not been totally without qualification, however - the captain has been a weak link in England's imperious batting line-up during this exceptional run.Boasting a classical style and all the shots, Vaughan's cover drive became his trademark during bumper series against Australia and India but he has failed to replicate that effortless success since.Having made those runs as an opener - his best position by some distance according to the stats - he has dropped down to number four to ease the pressure of leadership.The prodigious arrival of Andrew Strauss effectively rules out a return to the top of the order but he may have to be flexible with none of the three middle-order positions set in stone this summer.Wherever he bats England need their captain to lead brilliantly while replicating his past form against this opposition, a challenge to rank along the toughest in world cricket.