Vaughan backs Harmison for Ashes

Vaughan is not even contemplating an Ashes series without Harmison

England skipper Michael Vaughan is backing mis-firing paceman Steve Harmison to shine in this summer's Ashes showdown against Australia.

Vaughan's belief in Harmison is undimmed despite his poor showing on the recent tour of South Africa.

"Maybe he bowled a yard too short - but he was getting players out with those deliveries last year," Vaughan told the March edition of the Wisden Cricketer.

"I wouldn't even consider not having him in the team."

The challenge of trying to regain the Ashes for the first time since Mike Gatting's men triumphed in 1986-7, is one Vaughan is relishing.

You need guts above all against the Aussies Michael Vaughan

"It's a summer I'm looking forward to, because we're playing against the best team there has ever been," he added.

"I shall certainly tell my team that if they can't go into that with the same sense of excitement they shouldn't be there.

"There's certainly only one team under maximum pressure - and that's them (Australia).

"We will have to play at our maximum against them to win, far better than we have on the tour of South Africa.

"What we have done this winter is show character, and you need that and guts above all against the Aussies."