An elegant stroke-maker, who batted as either an opener or at number three, Michael Vaughan is in a group of elite English players to be ranked number one Test batsman in the world. He was also the man responsible for ending 19 years of hurt when he captained England to victory in the 2005 Ashes series using a brand of captaincy made up of first-class man-management skills, contagious inspiration, attention to detail and superb tactical nous.

As England’s Test captain, Michael Vaughan led his side to 26 wins, more than any other man in history. He played a total of 82 Tests, scoring 5719 runs at an average of 41.44, including 18 centuries.

Michael will be writing for betting.betfair over the course of the Ashes. He will provide match previews and share his memories of the last time he toured Australia and his views on team selection and tactics. He should know a thing or two about playing Down Under: during the 2002-3 Ashes he scored 633 runs, almost 150 more than any other player on either side. He retired from all forms of cricket in June 2009.