Doubts over Vaughan put Pietersen in line for top job

While Vaughan has enjoyed a fairy-tale return to Test cricket after knee surgery — becoming the country's most successful skipper and scoring a century at Headingley — his limited-overs position is in doubt.

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A dire World Cup left Vaughan exposed and, despite publicly stating that he wanted to carry on as leader in the short form of the game, his wish may not be granted.

Paul Collingwood and Kevin Pietersen have been mentioned as alternative captains. The selectors have to make tough calls. They will do so after the fourth Test against the West Indies at the Riverside, washed out on day one yesterday.

Graveney said of Vaughan's position: "The way he played against the West Indies in the World Cup (scoring 79) was the way we always wanted him to play. The question is, can he reproduce that form?

"We need to decide whether Michael can play in both forms of the game. Selector Geoff Miller, coach Peter Moores and I spoke about his position as a batsman. It's an ongoing discussion."

Pietersen has indicated that he would consider taking the one-day job, although the 26-year-old Hampshire batsman is mindful of not over-burdening himself.

He said: "If I thought it would be good for me and another step for me, then it's something I would have to have a look at. But right now, nobody has mentioned anything to me and I'm more than happy to be one of Michael Vaughan's troops."

The determination of England to address their one-day shortcomings was reflected in the make-up of the England Lions team — the new branding for the A team — to play the West Indies at Worcester on Thursday.

Of the 12 players chosen, 10 have won senior caps but the selectors have resisted the temptation to rush Marcus Trescothick back into action prematurely despite his impressive recovery from a stress-related illness.

While the Somerset left-hander remains off limits for now, Nottinghamshire's towering opener, Will Jefferson, has been chosen as a heavy hitter from a similar mould.

England palpably failed to take advantage of the power plays during the World Cup and that is something the 27-year-old is capable of doing.

Graveney said: "Will Jefferson did some really good things in the winter opening the batting for England A against Bangladesh. We have to be more proactive in power-play situations.

"It's a bit of a gamble because he's been struggling with a hamstring injury and has had one knock."

Players from Durham, Hampshire, Essex and Warwickshirewere not considered due to Wednesday's Friends Provident Trophy semi-finals.

ENGLAND LIONS SQUAD — V Solanki (Worcestershire, capt), K Ali (Worcestershire), J Anderson (Lancashire), G Batty (Worcestershire), T Bresnan (Yorkshire), S Broad (Leicestershire), A Gidman (Gloucestershire), W Jefferson (Notts), E Joyce (Middlesex), P Nixon (Leicestershire), O Shah (Middlesex), M Yardy (Sussex).

WEST INDIES — C Gayle (capt), S Chanderpaul (vice-capt), D Bravo, F Edwards, R Morton, D Powell, D Ramdin, R Rampaul, A Richards Jnr, D Sammy, M Samuels, L Simmons, Devon Smith, Dwayne Smith.