It's Ashes or bust - Vaughan - Sport in brief

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Vaughan memorably captained England in their last home series against Australia in 2005, leading a side which won the urn for the first time in 18 years. But 2008 brought a stifling loss of form, and the Yorkshire batsman eventually relinquished the captaincy in a tearful press conference last August.

Yorkshire batsman Vaughan still wants to add to his 82 Test caps but concedes that at 34 years old, the visit of Australia may be his last opportunity, saying: "I'll be honest, if I don't play against Australia that will probably be it."

He added: "But my goal is to try and play. Whatever happens, I'll carry on playing for a bit - because I love the game, love the dressing room. There's not many better ways of earning a living than playing cricket.

"We all want to win the Ashes. I, like many players in the county game, want to be part of that lucky 11 who walk out for the first Test. If not, there's a Test at Headingley; I've never played against Australia at Headingley, so I'd love to be there for that."

Vaughan believes the national selectors were right to leave him out of the party which is currently in the West Indies - but insists he will soon be challenging hard for a spot in the team.

"I'm 34 but I feel very fit. Most people write you off at that age, but I feel like I've had a new lease of life.

"It was the right decision not to go (to the West Indies). I've loved every minute of not having to think about playing -but now I'm looking forward to getting out there.

"I still have that burning desire - and if you have that, you're fresh and mentally strong then you have a great chance of achieving your goals."