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Ravi Bopara has admitted that Michael Vaughan's omission from England's preliminary Ashes squad has convinced him he can emulate the former captain by putting Australia to the sword.
Vaughan's Test future is in doubt after he was left out of a 16-man training party following his poor start to the season with Yorkshire.
And while Bopara believes Vaughan can still earn a recall, he will sleep more easily now the 2005 Ashes skipper has been axed.
“It gives me confidence to know I have the opportunity to go out and do what I did against the West Indies,” said Bopara, who cemented his place at No3 with consecutive tons against Chris Gayle's team in May.
“But Michael Vaughan is a quality player. He has proven against the best teams that he has class, and he is the sort of cricketer who can bounce back.”
Another hero of the 2005 Ashes victory, Steve Harmison, was handed a lifeline by being included in the England Lions team to face the Australia at Worcester from 1-4 July.
Harmison's recent form for Durham has been excellent and Bopara understands the value of having a 90mph bowler in England's attack.
“Steve is a dangerous bowler,” he said while attending an Urban Cricket event in Brixton, where a disused area of parkland has been transformed into a place where children can learn and improve their skills.
“When Steve gets it right, he can get anyone out and destroy any batting line-up. Hopefully, he gets it right over the next few weeks and get back into the squad and the team as well.”
Fit-again Lancashire all-rounder Andrew Flintoff is in the 16, along with left-arm pace bowler Ryan Sidebottom and uncapped Yorkshire leg-spinner Adil Rashid.
National selector Geoff Miller stopped short of calling time on Vaughan's Test career but he made it clear the former skipper had not done enough for Yorkshire to warrant a place.
Vaughan began the season determined to send a strong message to the selectors but in seven first-class innings he averages only 21, with a highest score of 43.
Miller said: “Michael will, of course, be disappointed not to have been included. But I met him recently and he understands that he needs to make runs consistently at county level if he is to force his way back into the England squad.
“We will continue to consider players outside the 16 chosen for the camp and we will monitor performances in domestic cricket as the international season progresses. The door has not been closed on any player at this stage.”
The selectors also named their XI to face Warwickshire in a three-day game at Edgbaston from 1-3 July, with spinners Monty Panesar and Graeme Swann both included.
And with the Cardiff pitch expected to take turn, few would be surprised if this team took the field against the Aussies in the First Test, which begins on 8 July.
