Michael Vaughan and Matthew Hoggard were back among their Yorkshire county colleagues at Headingley yesterday, both of them re-invigorated after their winter Test triumphs in South Africa.

England captain Vaughan has just enjoyed his longest break from cricket for five years, even though it has been punctuated with official functions and three weeks' hard training at the Institute of Sport in Sheffield where he has been working on a programme of body strengthening.

"Zimbabwe and South Africa were very tough tours, particularly as every one of the Tests in South Africa went into the fifth day and we were pressed really hard," said Vaughan.

"It was a great achievement to win the series. We were generally not at our best and I was not at my best as a batter and I needed a break from cricket once we got back home.

"But I've just enjoyed a holiday and have returned refreshed and ready to begin my build-up with Yorkshire and to start preparing for the Ashes series.

"Headingley will now be my base for a few weeks as I work towards my first match which will be against Ireland on May 3 and I will have five games in all before I am back with England for the Test series with Bangladesh.

"I have felt plenty of energy and positive vibes in the Yorkshire camp and I think that if we can keep the key players fit then we should be able to push for promotion.

"As England captain I have to keep focussed on the national side and I am aware that this Ashes series could be the highlight of my career.

"It has to be recognised that Australia are an abnormal team with so much strength in depth but if we stay positive and are mentally strong then I think we can put them under some pressure."

Hoggard, who plays in Yorkshire's Championship opener against Essex at Chelmsford on Wednesday, was relishing the new season.

"It is fantastic to be starting out with Yorkshire and hopefully we can be a winning side. There is a depth of talent in the squad now and I think we will be a side to be reckoned with for the next four or five years."

Updated: 09:17 Saturday, April 09, 2005