Gough: Vaughan must do what is best for him

4:35pm Monday 6th October 2008

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Former Yorkshire captain Darren Gough has done little to quash the rumours of Michael Vaughan’s exit from Headingley.

But the retired 38-year-old bowler insists the ex-England captain is still a vital part of the White Rose county’s plans, despite a worrying lack of form.

Following Vaughan’s decision to retire as England captain in August, after five years in job, he was given a new 12-month central contract by the England and Wales Cricket Board.

But he was then left out of the tour party for the two-Test match tour of India later this year.

And rumours about a new direction for Vaughan’s county career will not go away, with both Lancashire and Hampshire believed to be interested in signing the 33-year-old.

Only on Sunday were there rumours in the national press suggesting Vaughan was primed for a move to the Rose Bowl, where he could link up with former England coach Duncan Fletcher.

“What Michael has got to decide now is what is best for himself,” said Gough.

“It can’t be about what is best for Yorkshire, what is best for England, it is all about what is best for him.

“Whether that means stopping at Yorkshire to try and get his England place back, or moving on to do something else.

“There is only him that knows that. I know there have been rumours of it - but he is a passionate Yorkshire lad, and he is a vital part of Yorkshire’s team.”

Vaughan had only scored three centuries for England since the start of 2007 - part of the reason why he relinquished English cricket’s top on-the-field job.

And in the period he held the Test captaincy, the Sheffield-based batsman did not score a first-class century for Yorkshire. His last came against Northamptonshire at Wantage Road on May, 14, 2003.

That was eight days after he took over from Nasser Hussain as England’s one-day international captain.

Vaughan’s run of scores in 2008 Championship cricket for Yorkshire read: 19, 42, 34, 0, 72, 10, 0, 19 and 14.

“Vaughany is a good player,” continued Gough. “He was as disappointed as anyone that he couldn’t score runs for us. He wanted it so much, but it didn’t work out for him.

“It goes like that. You can’t just expect to switch it on just because you have got that talent.

"People want to get you out more. He will go away this winter, and have a break from cricket first and foremost.

“Then whether he goes away to Australia or not, I am sure he will enjoy what he does. He will come back a far better player.”

Vaughan is hoping to regain his place in England’s Test squad for their tour of the West Indies early next year.