m_vaughan
Chairman of Selectors
England captain Michael Vaughan has admitted he cannot wait for the tour to Zimbabwe to be over.
He will lead the squad which sets off next week for a five-match series after turning down the chance to opt out.
"I did not want to pass the buck by not going," said Vaughan, who has been awarded a benefit by Yorkshire in 2005.
"It's not a tour I'm particularly looking forward to. I'm looking forward to it being over and getting to South Africa for a real tough Test series."
England will field an inexperienced squad in Zimbabwe with Marcus Trescothick, Andrew Flintoff and Steve Harmison all staying at home.
But the tour does offer new boys Kevin Pietersen and Matt Prior the chance to take their first steps in international cricket.
It will be a surprise if England fail to win 5-0, however, against a young Zimbabwe side, and Vaughan is looking beyond them to South Africa and next summer's Ashes series.
"We are by no means the finished article. We are young, have many years ahead of us and a hell of a lot to learn.
"The one thing you know about South Africa is that they will be well prepared, they work very hard and have some experienced players with fantastic records.
"Add to that the fact they are on home soil and I expect it to be the toughest series we have played since they were here last year."
His benefit year, meanwhile, will include a Twenty20 match next August betwen a Vaughan Invitation XI, hopefully including Brian Lara, and Yorkshire.
Vaughan has played for the county since 1993, although international commitments have restricted him to five Championship appearances in the last three years.
He was a member of Yorkshire's 2001 Championship winning side and played at Lord's when they beat Somerset in the C&G Trophy final the following year.
Source: BBC Sport
He will lead the squad which sets off next week for a five-match series after turning down the chance to opt out.
"I did not want to pass the buck by not going," said Vaughan, who has been awarded a benefit by Yorkshire in 2005.
"It's not a tour I'm particularly looking forward to. I'm looking forward to it being over and getting to South Africa for a real tough Test series."
England will field an inexperienced squad in Zimbabwe with Marcus Trescothick, Andrew Flintoff and Steve Harmison all staying at home.
But the tour does offer new boys Kevin Pietersen and Matt Prior the chance to take their first steps in international cricket.
It will be a surprise if England fail to win 5-0, however, against a young Zimbabwe side, and Vaughan is looking beyond them to South Africa and next summer's Ashes series.
"We are by no means the finished article. We are young, have many years ahead of us and a hell of a lot to learn.
"The one thing you know about South Africa is that they will be well prepared, they work very hard and have some experienced players with fantastic records.
"Add to that the fact they are on home soil and I expect it to be the toughest series we have played since they were here last year."
His benefit year, meanwhile, will include a Twenty20 match next August betwen a Vaughan Invitation XI, hopefully including Brian Lara, and Yorkshire.
Vaughan has played for the county since 1993, although international commitments have restricted him to five Championship appearances in the last three years.
He was a member of Yorkshire's 2001 Championship winning side and played at Lord's when they beat Somerset in the C&G Trophy final the following year.
Source: BBC Sport
