Yes Larry called for him in the team, but then Andy Bull said “Vaughan’s experience, however, gives him a clear edge”, Hoppsy added this, “It seems England’s selectors are desperate for him to earn a recall and stir a few memories of the Ashes 2005.” They are the Guardian’s main three writers, all writing about Vaughan, and all saying one way or another they expect/want him in the side.

Not sure what his captaincy record has to do with this, even if he comes back, it wont be as captain. Would England have picked Brearley as a batsman a year after retiring from the captaincy? Vaughan’s record as a batsman is not that special, Test average of 41, average of 24 in his last year as a batsman, average of 40 at number 3, and averaged 32 against Australia in 2005. The last time Vaughan dominated Australia with the bat was 02/03. 02 was the only year in his career that Vaughan averaged more than 50.

I think it could be a top series with, or without, MPV.

Most commenters are saying: “let’s see what he does at Yorkshire…” and, to be fair, he’s the same age as Ricky Ponting and a demonstrably better captain. And, er, when England picked a certain JM Brearley as captain despite his relatively poor batting record against the Australians, he did pretty well. Like Brearley, Vaughan is remembered as a leader of men and an able psychologist. Brearley’s opposite number was Kim Hughes, as I recall…

Let’s hope it’s a top series. I was there for 2005 and I’ll be there for some of this one – and it would be great to see some of Vaughan’s textbook drives through the gaps in the leaky off-side field…