Michael Vaughan Photo CricInfo

Michael Vaughan is determined to shake off his injury jinx and is aiming to be in the England side when they take on the "Manchester United of cricket" this summer.

The Yorkshire batsman is already looking forward to the Ashes series and believes that if England play at their best, they can beat Australia – but he knows there's a lot of hard work to be done between now and then.

First Vaughan. 26, will be aiming to regain his place in the side after a calf injury kept him out of the three Tests in England's victorious visit to Pakistan at the end of last year.

He is now fully fit and raring to go for the second half of England's winter programme, against Sri Lanka.

He said: "It was frustrating in Pakistan, so I'm looking forward to getting out to Sri Lanka. I want to get myself in good form, be injury-free, and I hope to get myself in the Test team.

"Watching how Atherton and Thorpe dealt with the Pakistan spinners was a real help to me, and I hope I can learn from that when we go out to Sri Lanka. I'd like to be a part of the batting unit over there."

And if all goes well for him in Sri Lanka, he knows that waiting round the corner are home series against Pakistan and Australia.

He said: "The Ashes is a big series. I think most of the tickets for the Test matches have already been sold, and that couldn't be said for many Test series.

"We can beat them. Anyone is beatable on the day, and this England side can beat any team in the world if we play well. But the Aussies are brilliant at the moment - they are like Manchester United in football. They have gone one step ahead of everyone else and it's up to us to catch them.

"I'd love to be a part of the action next summer, but there's a lot of cricket to be played before that."

Vaughan made his Test debut against South Africa in 1999 and has played eight Tests altogether. He knows that this year is a crucial one.

He said: "If I stay in the side it means I must be playing well and scoring a few runs. There are plenty of other capable players who can take your place if you don't perform.

"Not only do I want to stay in the team but I want to be part of an England side that not only competes but also wins Test series - and I'd like Yorkshire to win a domestic honour this year too."

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