England’s new one-day captain must have been a mightily relieved man to have qualified for the final of the Natwest Series after seeing his die slump to 24-4 in what had become a winner-take-all match against Zimbabwe.
The feeling of getting over the winning line must have been a sweet one for Michael Vaughan because England were staring at a potentially embarrassing defeat against the outsiders in the three-team tournament.

But Vaughan and Lancashire’s Freddie Flintoff – and what a year he is having with bat and ball and in the field – saw England through the mini crisis to claim their place in the final against South Africa at Lord’s.
I don’t go along with those who believe Vaughan to be in a bit of a slump because he tied up one end to allow Flintoff a licence to thrill at the other end; had been 30-odd not out in the previous match against Zimbabwe when rain stopped play and was out to a Sean Pollock delivery earlier that would have accounted for most batsmen.
Contrary to popular belief, I think Vaughan has looked in good touch when he’s been at the crease and I would not be in the least it surprised if there is a big score around the corner. One decent score is all it takes to get you off and running again and I believe Vaughan’s will come sooner rather than later.
It has been a roller coaster week for the England team and they will be better for the experience, but Marcus Trescothick just keeps getting better and better. What a turnaround from the player who came home from the World Cup wondering where his next run was coming from.
With Freddie more and more looking the complete all-rounder and young James Anderson talking wickets regularly, we are looking increasingly like a side who will be ready to take on the best of the rest when the next World Cup comes round.
Whether or not Darren Gough is there to help rests mainly on his knees because there is still no doubt that he brings something to the table whenever he is playing for England.
Anderson was telling me the other day how good it was to have Goughie in the dressing room because of the confidence he gives the younger lads… and it was nice to read Goughie in the Sunday papers saying nice things about James.
Whether or not Goughie’s knees will allow him to send down 30-odd overs in a Test match remains to be seen, but if they do he is worth his place in the full England side.
Isn’t it fantastic that we have so many good and young fast bowlers around. Now it’s time for the spinners to identify themselves.