YORKSHIRE'S director of cricket, David Byas, today heaped praise on Michael Vaughan for leading England to a record eighth consecutive Test victory.

After England had completed their rousing seven-wicket win over South Africa in the first Test in Port Elizabeth, Byas said: "It is a terrific achievement by Michael and richly deserved.

"His comments immediately after the game show that he has got his feet firmly on the ground and is not living in cloud cuckoo land. The victories speak volumes both about himself and the team.

"Michael will try his hardest to keep the winning sequence going and if he can manage to increase it to 12 by the time the series ends then it will really set things up for the battle for the Ashes next summer.

"From the moment that Michael first came into the Yorkshire team he seemed earmarked for greater things because it was in his make-up.

"Once he had established himself as a first class cricketer he quickly developed into the well-organised bloke that we see today."

"He has created an atmosphere in which his players enjoy being successful but at the same time realise they have jobs to do otherwise they will be replaced by someone else."

Byas also praised Matthew Hoggard for the big part he had played in England's Test win and for helping to set up the record number of wins.

"Matthew brings balance to the attack and has done remarkably well over the past year since recovering from the serious knee he injury he sustained while playing for Yorkshire in May, 2003," he added.

Updated: 10:54 Wednesday, December 22, 2004