Vaughan predicts tougher times

Michael Vaughan enjoys England's impressive series victory over New Zealand

Captain Michael Vaughan reckons England’s Test team are progressing nicely after seeing them wrap up the npower series victory over New Zealand - but he warned their biggest examination is yet to come.

Ryan Sidebottom’s destructive fourth-morning burst of 4-12 meant England wrapped up an innings-and-nine-run victory at Trent Bridge in rapid time to seal a 2-0 win.

Vaughan’s men have now triumphed in four of the last five Tests against an inexperienced Black Caps side.

That sequence has catapulted them back up to third in the official International Cricket Council Test rankings, but the sterner challenge will come over a four-Test series against South Africa starting next month.

“I never envisaged winning by an innings but full credit to the way we’ve played our cricket,” said Vaughan.

“The catching was very good in this game and the win here suggests we have got better as the series has gone on.

“We also know there are areas to improve and the South Africa series, as I have said all summer, will be the ultimate test of where we are at as a Test team.”

England hope to have Andrew Flintoff available for that series, although he will have just one LV County Championship match to prove his fitness and form for the Lord’s Test, which gets under way on July 10.

Andrew Flintoff is pressing for a return to the England Test side against South Africa

A troublesome ankle has prevented Flintoff from playing Test cricket since January last year, and he is currently out of action with a side strain.

“I hope he will get his side right in the next few weeks, get enough cricket and be confident in himself and in his form that he can take on the South Africans,” added Vaughan, who must consider whether England field a five-man bowling attack if Flintoff is available.

“Everyone knows that, if he is fit, I would love to have him in the team.

“You would love five (bowlers). But I am also happy with four, it can work, and the balance of the team has to be very important when you play a good team like South Africa.

“It will probably be Freddie who will have to make the call. If he is confident enough in his own form and his body whether he plays against South Africa.”

Defeated New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori claims the all-rounder’s return can only bolster the England side.

“I suppose there is always that dangling of Flintoff in the corner and if you throw him in the mix then you have got a very complete team,” Vettori said.

“Once he comes back then it is going to be a very tough side to beat for anyone. “The England-South Africa series will be a very good one to watch.”