England captain Michael Vaughan, playing his first Test in 18 months, described his comeback century on Friday as one of the best moments of his career.

Vaughan scored 103 and helped England reach a commanding position at 366-5 on day one of the second Test against the West Indies at Headingley. Kevin Pietersen also made three figures, ending the day 130 not out.

Vaughan had not played a Test match since facing Pakistan in December 2005 because of a career-threatening knee injury, while a fractured finger kept him out of the drawn first Test at Lord's.

He was delighted to announce his return to the side with a dominant innings following criticism that he should not have automatically returned to the team after such a prolonged absence.

"It's as fine a feeling as I have ever felt in the game," Vaughan told reporters. "It was destiny for me to score a hundred on my home ground in my comeback. It's nice to be back."

He added: "It seemed to me as though the whole country was looking at how Michael Vaughan was going to react this week.

"You have to prove that you can play at this level and after an 18-month lay-off there are doubts about whether you can do it still and whether the feet will move. My balance was excellent today and when my balance is good I usually play well."

Vaughan, who notched his 16th Test hundred in his 65th Test, said although he was nervous before the match he always felt optimistic about his comeback.

"I felt as though there was a hundred in me all week. Even when I was driving I was visualising a hundred. I almost sensed I was going to get one. As soon as I got to 20 I thought it was on."