Dubai: Michael Vaughan, who in 2005 captained England to a spectacular Ashes series victory after a gap of nearly two decades, believes that a fantastic Ashes series is the need of the hour.
"Over the last 12 months so much scandal has been surrounding cricket that I really think a fantastic Ashes series, that too a closely fought one, is what Test match cricket needs."
Vaughan, who is here as part of the Fosters Cricket Legend talk series believes that England have got a good chance to win but it will be a very tight series.
Bowling attack
Answering a query from Gulf News as to what was the main factor that helped him win the Ashes series and whether the present England team have the same qualities, Vaughan said: "We won the 2005 series because we could get 20 wickets. Any team that can get 20 wickets can win Test matches against any team in the world. We had a good bowling attack at that time. I think with the likes of Graeme Swann, Stuart Broad, Christ Tremlett, Steve Finn, I think we can take 20 wickets. It also depends on how we bat. We have such a good batting order till down the order that can get 50s. The top six should get the bulk of the runs. If we play consistently and bat well I think we have bowling attack to put pressure."
Vaughan refused to take the credit for his captaincy. "Captains cannot do so much without the players. I had good players in my team, that is why we won the series and Andrew Strauss has good players in his team too. I haven't seen a great captain without great players in the team," he added.
When asked whether Ponting will be under pressure, Vaughan said: "It's hard time for Ponting as a captain because he is not sure of this team."
