Michael Vaughan

The Yorkshireman was thrust into the England Test captaincy when Nasser Hussain stood down last summer and has settled into the role quickly.

Date of Birth: 29 October 1974, Manchester  Test Debut: Against South Africa at Johannesburg in 1999/00  ODI Debut: Against Sri Lanka at Dambulla in 2000/01  Bats: Right Hand Bat  Bowls: Right Arm Off Break

The Yorkshireman was thrust into the England Test captaincy when Nasser Hussain stood down last summer and has settled into the role quickly.

Fresh from leading England to their first Test series win in the Caribbean for 36 years, the opening batsman will hope not to repeat his showing against New Zealand two years ago (34 was his best score in six innings during that series).

Initially regarded as a Test-match specialist, he has improved considerably in the one-day game. Vaughan is a fine fielder who can make a useful contribution with his off-spin.

The pressures of leading the team have affected his batting a bit, but now it seems he is re-discovering his form with a few solid scores to show for it. He struggled with the bat during the 3-0 demolition of West Indies in 2004, finally delivering in the fourth and final Test with a century.

A confident team with an on-song leader will definitely ruffle some Kiwi feathers.