Michael Vaughan was back among friends when he popped in at Headingley yesterday to have a net practice, meet up with his Yorkshire team-mates and chat to director of cricket David Byas.

The appreciative fans, many of whom have known Vaughan since he was a boy, showered the England captain with congratulations for leading his country to a record breaking 3-0 Test series win in the West Indies and then levelling the one-day series at 2-2.

But Vaughan was at pains to point out he had now put England's adventures in the Caribbean to the back of his mind and was focusing on the Test series against New Zealand which begins at Lord's on Thursday.

"To win 3-0 in the West Indies exceeded all expectations but we have to remember New Zealand won their last series here 1-0 in 1999 and they have a very similar team now which is five years more experienced," said Vaughan.

"England have plenty of talent but you don't win anything with talent alone and we need to put in a lot of hard work in preparing properly if we are to succeed."

Vaughan said England had got a potent seam attack and he hoped the pitches for the Test matches would assist his fast bowlers.

He was also full of praise for Yorkshire star Matthew Hoggard, who had grabbed the headlines in the West Indies by becoming the first-ever England bowler to take a Test hat-trick in the Caribbean.

"Hoggy bowled well out there," said Vaughan.

"Matthew has certainly put his foot in the door but James Anderson took six wickets for Lancashire this week and is also working hard for a place."

Vaughan sympathised with Anthony McGrath, who was part of England's one-day squad in the Caribbean but never broke into the side.

"All the rain did not help him but the only thing Maggs can do now is score as well as possible for Yorkshire and try to get selected again. Professional sport is a hard and harsh world but he just has to get on with things and take his chances when they come."

A crowded England fixture list means Yorkshire will see little of Vaughan this summer but he is looking forward to playing for them against Devon in the next round of the Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy at Exmouth on May 26.

"We won the C&G in 2002 and I would love to help us get the trophy back again," said Vaughan.

"I haven't played under Craig White before but he is a big friend and I'm sure he'll have a similar outlook to me in his approach to captaincy.

"I want to go on playing for England for as long as possible but Yorkshire is still a huge part of me and I owe the club a lot. When the time comes for me to return I will give it as much as I can."

Updated: 10:20 Saturday, May 15, 2004