A brand new Michael Vaughan, fighting fit and refreshed after a winter away from the game, could line up for Yorkshire in their Pro ARCH Trophy opener against Surrey at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi today.

Vaughan reiterated he should not have played for Yorkshire in three out of the final four County Championship matches of last season because he was not mentally fit enough after resigning as England’s Test captain.

“I have had my break, now I feel very refreshed and relaxed,” said the 34-year-old.

“I don’t have any pressure at all. I have had five-and-a-half months out of the game, so I am just very much looking forward to playing some cricket wherever that may be.

“To be captain of England for five-and-a-half years was tough. I wish that I had taken a break straight away after I had resigned as captain.

“I was trying my hardest for Yorkshire, but my mind just wasn’t ready to play. Now I feel really refreshed and ready score a lot of runs for Yorkshire.”

It remains to be seen whether Vaughan will be part of the Yorkshire XI to face Surrey in their Friends Provident Trophy-style friendly today (10.30am GMT), but there is no hiding his desire to play a major part in a successful 2009 for the Tykes.

If he can do that, then he will have every chance of returning to the Test team to play against old foes Australia this summer.

“It would mean a great deal to play in the Ashes, but it would also mean a great deal to be involved in a successful Yorkshire team,” he said.

“I know I have to score runs for Yorkshire, but I know if I do that then I will give myself a good opportunity to be selected.”

“I am not in control of whether I am selected or not. I enjoy playing cricket for Yorkshire, so I have got to see how far it takes me.

“I want to be involved with a group of lads who want to work hard together, who want to have a direction and a vision together. I believe there is a little team developing here who could progress, not just this season but for two or three years.”

Vaughan has seen enough to predict that Yorkshire have the potential for a stellar 2009, the foundations for which will be laid down in the Gulf over the next ten days or so.