THE batsman formerly known as the world's best landed in Durham yesterday, played a delightful cameo, and then left his public wanting more.

After his Ashes feast, the famine continued for Michael Vaughan after a curate's egg of an innings.

Under cloudless Antipodean skies and against the full might of Australia's ferocious bowling attack, Vaughan was peerless.

In overcast conditions and faced by a benevolent Zimbabwean line-up, England's new one-day captain has shown only tantalising glimpses of his glorious talent.

Having plundered seven centuries in just 12 Tests to ascend to the top of the world rankings, a dip in form and fortune for Vaughan was long overdue.

Sure enough, he scratched around for just eight at Lord's a fortnight ago to fall behind Matthew Hayden in the ratings.

And here, after taking 29 minutes to get off the mark, Vaughan quickly roared into top gear - only to be cut off in his prime.

After his scoreless start, Vaughan was eased into the game by Dougie Hondo, the Yorkshire star flicking two legside deliveries to the boundary.

Having moved from nought to eight in the space of three balls, Vaughan was in the mood to cut loose and Andy Blignaut, a former male model, was left with uglier figures after feeling the full force of Vaughan's flashing blade.

Three times in one over Blignaut was despatched to the cover boundary by the England opener.

And then, just when he was getting going, Vaughan was gone.

Heath Streak, always probing on or around off stump, induced a rash forcing shot from Vaughan - who was betrayed by his lack of foot movement.

The ball took the outside edge and was gobbled up gratefully by Sean Ervine at first slip.

The crowd groaned, Vaughan departed, and the halo had slipped a little further from England's most gifted batsman.