Vaughan retains ECB contract

England captain Michael Vaughan has retained his England and Wales Cricket Board central contract, despite the injury which has kept him out of international cricket for the whole of 2006.

The man who led England to Ashes victory last summer is named among 13 players awarded contracts for the next year.

He is joined by two players contracted for the first time, Monty Panesar and Alastair Cook, as well as all the men who helped him beat Australia last year - with the exception of wicketkeeper Geraint Jones.

The latter recently lost his Test place to Chris Read, although there is no place yet for him either among England's contracted players who therefore do not have a specialist wicketkeeper among them.

Fast bowler Simon Jones and left-arm spinner Ashley Giles both retain their contracts, despite - like Vaughan - having suffered significant injuries this year.

Giles is recovering from a hip and groin problem, while Vaughan and Jones have both had knee operations.

Giles has been named in the England squad hoping to keep the Ashes in Australia this winter; Vaughan is hoping to be fit in time for the VB Series of one-day internationals, starting in January - and Jones will not be back until next season.