Michael Vaughan / Frank Gregan / 03 October 2010 /

A chance interview with Michael Vaughan at a rain-hit Celtic Manor offers some interesting insight on the Ashes. Frank Gregan reports

Every cloud has a silver lining - even the massive ones that chucked down their contents over the Celtic Manor on Friday. Desperate to fill the void caused by the rain delay the BBC's radio team scoured the crowd trying to find anyone of interest to drag along to the comfort and warmth of their studio to tell a story or two. Cricket fans were in for a treat, former England captain Michael Vaughan accepted the invitation and gave a very candid interview.

Most pundits agree that this is a great chance for England to retain the Ashes on Aussie soil and Vaughan concurs with that point of view. He made it clear that England's chances have been enhanced not only by the strength of the English but also by the weakness of this crop of Australians. The Aussie team-sheet no longer reads like a script from a horror film, there are still a few scary names but most of those that terrified have gone.

Vaughan enjoyed some great success as the England captain (the 2005 Ashes victory being the highlight) but he had to work very hard for every victory. He didn't think that was always the case with his Australian counterpart Ricky Ponting, "Hayden, McGrath, Warne, Gilchrist - my dog could captain that team," Vaughan said in his dead pan Yorkshire lilt.

He reckons the job of the skipper is not only to score runs but to "create the atmosphere," the dynamic within the team that spurs the unit on to a match winning performance. Vaughan admitted that the job got to him, he couldn't sleep at night and would often watch DVDs of his opponents at three in the morning. The job was "mentally draining" and he hinted that the pressure of skippering a side in an Ashes series can effect the captain's own performance.

Andrew Strauss knows all about pressure, his batting came under the microscope during this summer's series against Pakistan. He responded well, aided by some poor Pakistani bowling but he knows that he will be targeted by the Aussie attack, particularly during the crucial first test. The same goes for Ponting, the English bowlers will have him in their sights and the loss of either skipper cheaply will be a great fillip for the other side.

The former English skipper reiterated the importance of getting the series off to a good start. "The Australians have an unbelievable record in Brisbane and if we can get out of there with a draw or a win we'll be on our way."

So who does he think can fire England to victory?

"Graeme Swann is the key," Vaughan said and then went on to say that he believes that if England are to prevail at the Gabba then the English lead spinner will have to have a big Test match.

The top English series bowler market is up and running, albeit in its infancy. Sometimes it pays to get on early in this type of market before it settles down. Just about all the money thus far has gone onto Swann with a best price of [3.4] being matched. When the top batsmen market settles down it will likely be the two skippers at the head. Given the pressure that both of them are going to face it's worth considering them as a lay.

One point of view is that Strauss's captaincy has yet to hit its peak and that there is still a lot more to come whilst Ricky Ponting, having done it all, is heading towards retirement but would love nothing more than to once again put one over the Poms before hanging up his bat. One thing is for sure, both of these captains know how to conduct themselves and win or lose, they'll not let their country down.

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