England need Michael Vaughan to lead from the front

Vaughan's part in the controversial picking of Darren Pattinson at Headingley last week, followed by his comments about the confusion it caused, have put England's record-breaking skipper squarely under the microscope - leading to questions about the strength of his relationship with coach Peter Moores and prompting a meeting with chief selector Geoff Miller.

But his batting at No3 will be subject to even closer scrutiny if he again fails against South Africa in Wednesday's Third npower Test at Edgbaston.

Vaughan scored just two runs in his only innings during the Lord's draw and was then dismissed for nought and 21 as Graeme Smith's side thrashed England by 10 wickets last week.

The country's most successful captain in Test history did begin the summer with a century against the Kiwis but he missed out in the second and third games and failed to sparkle during the winter tours of Sri Lanka and New Zealand.

In fact, since marking his comeback from a career-threatening knee injury by making a hundred against West Indies at Lord's early last season, the 33-year-old averages less than 36 in 16 matches. That statistic, together with lingering concerns about his fitness, makes Vaughan look vulnerable as a batsman.

Before he even reaches the crease this week, though, Vaughan - together with Moores - must decide which 11 players from a squad of 13 are best equipped to hurt South Africa while the series can still be won.

Having insisted last week that there was "no friction" between himself and Vaughan and that he understood comments made immediately after the Headingley defeat, national selector Miller is now eager to stress his confidence in the captain as a batsman and a leader

"We know he's a quality player and, as with all quality players, a score is just around the corner," said Miller. "He's a strong enough character to get through that, and he is a well-respected captain, so I have no problems whatsoever."

Ultimately, it is likely to be Vaughan who decides whether he adds to his attack Steve Harmison, whose last Test delivery at Edgbaston was the one which dismissed Australian No11 Michael Kasprowicz in 2005 to win an astonishing match.

Vaughan had almost limitless faith in Harmison in those day, but a lot of balls have drifted aimlessly wide of the target since then.

Having recalled the Durham paceman, however, it seems likely England will unleash him. But if it is as a member of a four-man attack then both Stuart Broad and either Ryan Sidebottom or Jimmy Anderson will have to make way.

"I know if I play the spotlight will be on me," said Harmison, who was dropped after an anaemic performance in New Zealand four months ago. "I know it's going to be tough and I'm going to be nervous. And I know I have a point to prove, that I can still bowl at the highest level and take wickets for my country against a fine batting side.

"But I would rather be going to Edgbaston, putting myself to the test and dealing with all those issues, than not."

Unless there are fitness issues over Sidebottom (back) and Anderson, who was hit on the wrist and head during his brave innings at Headingley, then Broad seems certain to make way.

That could spark criticism, bearing in mind how well the 22-year-old is batting at No 8. But he has taken only 19 wickets at 42 runs apiece in eight Tests.

"He's a big talent but people tend to forget he's also a young boy," said Miller. "Stuart has done really well in aspects of his game and I look at him being the future of England. He might well play in this Test, but we've got to make sure we manage him properly because international cricket is tough. He's involved in five and one-day games so it's non-stop for him.

"What we see with the bat is a fantastic bonus and there looks as though there's a lot of talent there. What we need now is for him to take wickets on flat pitches, and that is a different ball game altogether. But I know he will succeed because he will keep working at it.

"If he keeps progressing for the next year or two as he has done then we are going to have a gem."

England squad: Andrew Strauss, Alastair Cook, Michael Vaughan (capt), Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Paul Collingwood, Andrew Flintoff, Tim Ambrose (wkt), Stuart Broad, Ryan Sidebottom, Jimmy Anderson, Steve Harmison, Monty Panesar.