Wednesday, April 19 2006 18:43 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

London: England captain Michael Vaughan took a large step towards returning to the international fold after completing a net session Wednesday (Apr 19, 2006).

Vaughan pulled out of England's recent tour to India with an injured right knee that has troubled him since before Christmas.

The 31-year-old batsman had not swung the bat in anger since being forced home from England's difficult tour to India, in which they drew the Test series but were thrashed 5-1 in the one-dayers.

He practised for 20 minutes in the indoor nets at Trent Bridge and jogged around the outfield without obvious discomfort.

But with only three weeks before the opening Test against Sri Lanka at Lord's on May 11, it seems unlikely Vaughan will recover in time to lead the side out for the first time since the final Test against Pakistan at Lahore in December.