Vaughan plays down Ashes expectations

Michael Vaughan is determined that he and his England team-mates will keep cool heads despite all the Ashes hype.

"From the minute I arrived back from the tour of South Africa eight weeks ago everyone has been asking about the Ashes," captain Vaughan said.

"Expectations are probably going to be out of control come the First Test against Australia. But the expectation levels are from people not involved with England.

"There will be lots of stories and many ex-players will come out and have their say. What is important is that Team England know where they are at and try to prepare in the best way we can."

Vaughan, speaking on BBC Radio Five Live, refused to be drawn on whether England would beat the world champions and win an Ashes series after eight consecutive failures. "I expect us to compete and play well," he said.

Win or lose, England chairman David Morgan and chief executive David Collier expect coach Duncan Fletcher to carry on after this summer. His present one-year rolling contract expires in September, but the England and Wales Cricket Board would like him to commit to 2007 and perhaps beyond.