Vaughan on the recovery trail

Michael Vaughan: feeling his way back © Getty Images

Michael Vaughan remains confident of making a full recovery from the hamstring injury that forced him to pull out of England's victorious CB Series squad in Australia last month, and insists he will be ready to lead his side in their first match of the World Cup, against New Zealand in St Lucia on March 16.

"A little hamstring injury is not going to stop me from continuing to try to get back," said Vaughan on Sky Sports News. "It's progressing nicely. I'm looking forward to getting on the plane a week on Friday and continuing my rehab out in the Caribbean."

Vaughan realises, however, that match practice is essential before the tournament begins, and so has earmarked England's two warm-up matches, against Bermuda and Australia on March 5 and 9 as key dates in his rehabilitation.

"Hamstrings are a funny injury and you never really know how they're going to react until you go and play a game of cricket," he said. "But all the medical teams are very confident over the way it's gone in the past week. How much of a part I'll play in the first [practice] game, I'm not too sure, but I'll certainly need to get out there and have a bat and get some middle practice."

"I just need a little bit of luck," he added. "The last year, I haven't had much luck with injuries, but six months ago, I got told I wouldn't play again. I've come back from that."

"I'm desperate to play but I'm also realistic," Vaughan continued. "I certainly wouldn't put myself in the position of going to the Caribbean if the medical team hadn't given me their full support and confidence. If I get through the early stages and get my hamstring through recovery, I have no doubt I'll last the whole tournament."