Ashes battle will rekindle the feelgood factor of 2012, says Michael Vaughan

“I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do as he’s a player that brings something different to England,” said Vaughan. “Getting him back for the Ashes will be pivotal and, if he’s bowling like he was in 2009/10, then he has to play, he needs to be starting.”

Overcoming injuries is a key part of England’s Ashes build-up. While Tremlett is on the road to recovery, Kevin Pietersen and Graeme Swann are in rehabilitation from knee and elbow problems respectively.

Vaughan is confident that both men will be fit in time to take on Australia and insists the decision yesterday to rule Pietersen out of the ICC Champions Trophy on top of the one-day internationals is a sensible one.

He added: “I think England have been very clever with KP in particular, taking him out of action to ensure his knee is fully right for the Ashes.”

But it is not Pietersen that England’s former captain (above) believes holds the key to England’s summer ambitions. “For me, there are two players that England can’t replace and that’s Jimmy Anderson and Swann,” he said.

“I don’t think there are two players like them. Anderson’s ability to swing the ball consistently is unrivalled.”

Over the next six months or so, England and Australia will become familiar foes and Vaughan has no question of who will come out on top.

“The Ashes will be a lot closer than people think — it will be very tough and tight,” he said. “But I believe England will win at home. At home, only South Africa have given them a test. I expect this one to be the same but England should have the strength in depth to win 2-1. The return series in Australia is harder to call with the pace-bowling attack that Australia have on their pitches.

“Wherever the series is played, Australia have the bowling attack to take 20 wickets but they don’t have the batting depth to win in England.”

England first face New Zealand in two Tests following their drawn series against the Kiwis last month. It was a result that England were lucky to come away with after being outplayed for most of the time on the Kiwis’ turf but Vaughan does not see that as a bad thing. “I think New Zealand played better than anyone thought,” he added. “They played the more intense and aggressive cricket.

“It’ll be an exciting series and it’s the pre-Ashes Test England need.”

Also looming this summer is the Champions Trophy, which Vaughan sees as England’s best chance to break their duck in a 50-over tournament. “We’ve never won a major 50-over tournament although we’ve won the World Twenty20,” he said. “But we have a great chance to win a trophy before the Ashes.”

NatWest cricket ambassador Michael Vaughan was officially opening a new NatWest concept branch in Southwark Street, London. Visit NatWest.com for more details.