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ADELAIDE - England's Ashes-winning captain Michael Vaughan made a duck on Wednesday in his first competitive match since knee surgery in June.
Vaughan was dismissed without scoring for England's Academy side in a low-key match against a Western Australia XI in Perth which they lost by 40 runs.
Vaughan had faced seven balls when he edged Darren Wates behind to wicketkeeper Christian Moir but said he was just glad to be back playing after such a long break.
"It is slightly disappointing I did not get any runs but today was all about getting back playing cricket, so it is a huge positive for me," Vaughan told reporters.
"It is the early stages of a comeback, but six months ago I never thought I would get to this stage of playing cricket again.
"It was a real tough time, and thankfully I got to this day. Next week I can hopefully get a few runs and spend a little bit more time in the middle."
The 32-year-old was using Wednesday's warm-up as an early trial for his hopes of being available for the fourth Ashes test against Australia starting in Melbourne on December 26.
England are due to play an unofficial one-day match at Lilac Hill next week then a three-day game against Western Australia before the third test.
"I honestly don't know (about the Ashes). This has been the first day of what has been a long rehab program, so I have got to look to train hard, play the game next week and look to play a few more games and see where it takes us," Vaughan said.
"The goal for me to play cricket was January, so to be playing today and actually get the whites on was a lot sooner than we all expected so that is a very good sign."
Meanwhile, Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath must bowl today if he's to seal his selection in the second test in Adelaide starting on Friday.
McGrath did not train yesterday because of an injury to his left heel, which has raised some slight doubt the 36-year-old might not recover in time.
He experienced troubles with his injury during day four of the first test in Brisbane, which Australia won by 277 runs.
Although Australia is confident McGrath will play, Shaun Tait and Mitchell Johnson have been placed on standby.
The home side is likely to retain the same 11 from Brisbane provided McGrath is fit.
England will also hold a light training session today, which could be a pointer to which team it selects for the second Test.
England is yet to announce whether it will make any changes to the side and is considering playing Monty Panesar alongside fellow left-arm spinner Ashley Giles.
James Anderson is the player most likely to be dropped if Panesar plays.
- REUTERS, AAP
