"I think we're in an excellent situation. One or two of our major players are coming back from injury, and those that we have introduced to the team in the last couple of years - Sidebottom, Cook, Panesar and Ambrose - are really coming on.

"Stuart Broad is the most intelligent bowler I've worked with. (Head coach) Peter Moores is really growing into the role; he's made us fitter and more focused in our fielding drills."

A further boost for England is the return to fitness of Andrew Flintoff, who last played Test cricket 16 months ago.

Flintoff underwent a fourth operation on his left ankle during the winter and has recently returned to action with Lancashire.

Vaughan believes the all-rounder will slot straight back into the England fold for the first Test against New Zealand, but suggested he will bat at number seven rather than as a number six who formed part of a five-man bowling attack.

"For a long time I was a fan of five bowlers, but since we've had to do without Fred, I've realised that whilst five might be ideal, it is certainly possible to do with four in Test cricket," noted Vaughan.

"Most other Test teams have a number six who averages 45 in Test cricket, so I'm looking at Flintoff (who averages 32.50 with the bat) at seven and four bowlers.

"He hasn't played for a long time and and for Fred, his bowling rhythm comes more naturally than his batting. The only problem with four bowlers is that it asks a lot of his fitness, which we'll find out about over the next few months."