Fredalo furore has been 'blown out of proportion', claims Vaughan

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The England captain claimed yesterday in an interview with the Guardian that Flintoff's drunken antics following the opening defeat by New Zealand "changed the whole atmosphere" of the squad and led to their limp exit from the tournament.

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It led to Lancashire chief executive Jim Cumbes labelling the comments "despicable", but Vaughan today claimed the incident had been "blown out of all proportion".

But he has acted quickly today to try to appease the situation and was due to meet Flintoff for lunch today to explain his side of the story.

"I will see him later on for dinner," he told Sky Sports News. "We're good mates and this has been blown out of all proportion. I'm sure he wasn't best pleased, but some of the headlines were quite startling."

Vaughan also refused to criticise Cumbes, who had labelled the comments as "appalling" and a "kick in the teeth" for Flintoff, who is recovering from a third ankle operation in as many years.

"That's his response," said Vaughan. "I really enjoy playing at Old Trafford, I have had some really great success here."

He added: "If anyone is to blame it is Michael Vaughan, not Andrew Flintoff. I will never single out one player for blame.

"It really is a bit baffling how it has ended like this. One word has changed the whole context for a Test match.

"I just want to win the series. We want the team to continue where they left off (at Headingley). We could win the series this week and that's where our focus lies.

"The team hasn't been affected because it's been blown out of all proportion. The crowd always get behind you here and we'll be trying to make sure it's a good week.

"We want to try to hit home the advantage when we are on top. We are up against an inexperienced Windies team and we want to make most of that. They key is starting well, it's important whatever we do we start well and get on top of them."