Buchanan: Vaughan needs runs

Vaughan heads into a match where defeat would seriously jeopardise chances of progression beyond the Super Eight stage, having scored only 121 runs in eight one-day internationals.

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That is the kind of return which would conceivably lead to the axe for batsmen other than the captain.

And Buchanan, who got his team to target Vaughan in the field on his comeback from a long-term knee injury in the Commonwealth Bank Series, is hoping to prey on another perceived weakness.

"Vaughan's one-day record is not strong at all," said Buchanan. "There's no doubt about that. "He's aware of that but that's something for the England team to worry about.

"If they believe he is the best man to lead their side that is their choice."

Vaughan, 32, is arguably still living on his achievement of masterminding the Ashes triumph on English soil two years ago.

And he has enjoyed plenty of personal success against Australia, stretching back to the 2002-03 Ashes when he was named man-of-the-series for his three hundreds.

He also claimed the man-of-the-match award in the ICC Champions Trophy final in 2004 when England broke Australian dominance in such encounters and showed signs of his finest touch with 62 in a World Cup warm-up defeat to the Australians in St Vincent last month.

"He's a quality player and quality players tend to come through when the chips are down," said Buchanan.

"Regardless of whether he is scoring runs at the moment, if he feels he is hitting the ball well then runs will come."

Australia have won all five of their matches in the Caribbean to date in emphatic fashion as they bid for an unprecedented third World Cup title in a row.

They have dominated all opposition since the 2003 success in South Africa, in fact, although intriguingly England have proved their most tricky opponent in that four-year period.

In 14 completed matches they have won only seven, a win ratio considerably lower than against any other side.

Australia's biggest challenge in preparation for their third Super Eight match is how to cover the loss of all-rounder Shane Watson.

His absence through injury will weaken either the batting or bowling resources and his replacement will be batsman Brad Hodge or left-arm pace bowler Mitchell Johnson.

Defeat for England would mean they would have to win their remaining three games - against Bangladesh, South Africa and West Indies - and hope results go their way in other matches.

It would also mark the end of their tussles with old nemesis Glenn McGrath.

The 37-year-old, who retires upon the conclusion of this tournament, has an outstanding record against English teams over the years - his 32 one-dayers have reaped 50 victims in addition to 157 Test wickets in 30 Ashes appearances.