Vaughan's era dawns as Wales prepare for another upset

Already this week, Scotland and Ireland have demonstrated that Britain's less-heralded international teams cannot be under-estimated by Test opposition. Pakistan were run painfully close in Glasgow, while Ireland's bowlers have been putting Zimbabwe through their paces in Belfast. All of this, however, is old hat to Wales. Last year, they sent England tumbling to an eight-wicket defeat in Cardiff, and tomorrow they have the chance to get Michael Vaughan's captaincy career off to the worst possible start.

Vaughan's opposite number will be a familiar figure. Robert Croft played the last of his 50 one-day internationals against Australia at The Oval almost two years ago, during England's miserable run of 11 consecutive defeats. But he was instrumental in Wales's emphatic victory last year, claiming 2 for 36 in his ten overs, before lamping a rapid 30 from 26 balls as a pinch-hitter.

Croft is adamant there was nothing fluky about that win. "Make no mistake about it, England were prepared last time," he said. "They weren't caught cold or anything like that, it was simply a case of the better team winning and you have to give Wales credit for that.

It is a much-changed England side that will take the field this year. The squad includes six uncapped players, with such stalwarts as Nick Knight, Andrew Caddick and Nasser Hussain all retired from one-day cricket since the World Cup. "I suppose some people might say we are favourites this time around because England have more of an inexperienced squad," said Croft. "But they are all still players who are regulars in county cricket which is just the same as our team."

Vaughan, however, had no doubt what was expected of his players. "We want to win," he said. "I know we're all looking ahead to 2007 and we're trying to peak then, but the guys have been selected because they're good enough to win games for England now. We're inexperienced and experience in one-day cricket especially is a key ingredient, but I do expect us to win games of cricket starting from tomorrow against Wales."

There was, however, a hint of caution in Vaughan's words. "At the same time the public also have to be realistic. Since 1992 England have not really shone in the World Cup. We missed out on the Super Sixes this year so it's important that when we get to 2007, we have an experienced squad who have played a number of games together."

To emphasise that this a transition period, rather than a completely new start, Vaughan has been in close consultation with his old captain, Hussain, as well as Michael Atherton, from whom he was seeking batting advice after a lean run in the Test series against Zimbabwe. "Nasser and I will be working together and it would be silly of me not to use the amount of experience which he's gained over the last few years," said Vaughan. "I'll be ringing him over the next few weeks, while I had a chat with Athers the other day, mainly about my batting. I know it's important that I score runs as well as captain the side. If I don't do that I know there will always be that dilemma there with people about the captaincy."

Vaughan's captaincy has at least begun with a familiar theme - injuries. Richard Johnson has been forced to pull out of the NatWest Challenge against Pakistan with a knee injury, while Chris Read has not yet recovered from a broken thumb. Marcus Trescothick, England's captain in last year's match, will take over behind the stumps, although Read is expected to be fit in time for Tuesday's first ODI at Old Trafford.