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Vaughan surprised by progress

Mark Meadows | July 29, 2004 10:37 IST

A year to the day since becoming England captain, Michael Vaughan believes his team have performed better than he imagined and expects another win in the second Test against West Indies starting on Thursday.

Vaughan took charge after Nasser Hussain quit at Edgbaston a year ago following the drawn first Test with South Africa.

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In 16 Tests under Vaughan, England have won 10 times, culminating in the 210-run victory in the first Test against West Indies at Lord's on Monday. They have also moved up to second behind Australia in the ICC Test championship.

"Results in the Test arena are better than I expected," Vaughan told a news conference at the Birmingham ground. "I am growing into the job but a long way from the finished article."

Despite the comprehensive win at Lord's, the 29-year-old thinks England can play better and again expressed his dissatisfaction with having to play back-to-back Tests.

"There are aspects of our play at Lord's we have to improve on...I expect us to take the couple of catches we dropped and it is down to each individual player to raise their game again.

"In the modern game you have got to have back-to-back Tests but two days is not enough. A minimum of four days is ideal and three days more realistic."

QUICK TURNAROUND

West Indies captain Brian Lara thought the quick turnaround would not affect his side's performance but may hinder his young players' long term development.

"We are accustomed to it and it really has no affect physically or mentally," he said. "But there are so many internationals one after another it is hard to get the learning process going."

Lara emphasised the inexperience of his side and hinted newly-arrived swing bowler Corey Collymore would play on Thursday.

"You have got to be sympathetic -- at Lord's three of my bowlers were under 22," he said. "I am not giving away the team but it is nice to have the experience of Collymore. I look forward to seeing what he can do in English conditions."

England scored 568 in the first innings at Lord's to set up the victory and Vaughan said the Edgbaston pitch looked just as flat.

"It looks a really good one, pretty dry," he said. "It is going to be another hard Test for the bowlers."

A decision will made on Thursday as to who completes the England pace bowling line-up with Simon Jones, not at his best at Lord's after returning from a foot injury, and James Anderson fighting for one place.

Vaughan hinted Anderson could get the nod.

"It will be a difficult decision," Vaughan said. "Simon came into Lord's a bit rusty and at Edgbaston we have traditionally had more of an orthodox swing option so Jimmy comes into the equation."



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