London, Jan. 28 : Former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan thinks that there are only two small things that need to be sorted out if England are to contemplate retaining the Ashes urn won last year – improved batting and better bowling.

Vaughan fears that mental weakness among the former could cause physical problems for the latter — and God help us all if Graeme Swann picks up an injury.

The spin bowler, who made his Test debut little more than a year ago, is, according to Vaughan, England’s key to beating Australia next winter.

“He is the pivotal member of the team now. He brings a real zest to the side. My big concern is that if Swann gets an injury, we really will struggle. He has developed into a spin bowler who can take wickets on the first day. If he wasn’t around, we’d struggle with only three seamers,” The Times quoted Vaughan, as saying.

“There are signs that the team can go down there and be successful. The talent is there and they can become the real deal by November. But there are also signs of vulnerability, especially with the batting,” he added.

Vaughan wants the batting order tweaked and part time bowlers like Paul Collingwood and Kevin Pietersen to given more of a bowl.

He feels Pietersen, being England’s best bat, should come in at No 3, Trott at No 4 and Collingwood at No 5.

He has also defended Strauss’s decision to skip the Bangladesh tour and feels that other key players, especially Collingwood, should be given a break this summer. (ANI)