Cricket: Michael Vaughan's first task after returning as England's captain will be to determine the extent of the "mental frailties" among his squad following the humiliation of their Ashes whitewash.
The 32-year-old completed a remarkable recovery from long-standing knee problems, which have sidelined him for the last year, by being confirmed as skipper for the triangular one-day series against Australia and New Zealand.
He takes over from Andrew Flintoff, who has presided over the majority of England's matches in Vaughan's absence, including the first 5-0 Ashes series whitewash since 1920-21.
Vaughan expects to inherit a squad scarred by the hammering they have endured over the last six weeks but believes he can pick up the 16-man party and encourage them to express themselves again in Tuesday's Twenty20 international against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground and the one-day series which follows.
"I do expect there will be a few mental frailties after what's happened, but that can soon change once you start winning a couple of games," said Vaughan.
"I just hope we can win a few games, entertain a few people and try and get that freedom of expression back in the players, because we do have players who like to express themselves on the pitch.
"That's my job in the next few weeks — that they don't feel inhibited in any way, they don't feel scared of any situation and they go out and try and express themselves and try and take Australia and New Zealand on in this one-day series."
As a member of the side four years ago who were on course for a whitewash until they won the final Ashes Test in Sydney, Vaughan is sympathetic to how the majority of the one-day squad are feeling as they prepare to switch modes to limited-overs cricket.
Nine players who featured in the Ashes mauling are included in the ODI squad and Vaughan concedes his first job will be to lift spirits.