Monty happy with captaincy options

Monty Panesar hopes Michael Vaughan will lead England's World Cup campaign - but insists Andrew Flintoff is an inspirational alternative.

Vaughan, who missed the 5-0 Ashes whitewash following knee surgery, withdrew from the Commonwealth Bank series in Australia with a hamstring injury but the Yorkshire batsman hopes to be fit for the World Cup with Andrew Flintoff likely to deputise if he fails to recover in time.

"Michael Vaughan likes everyone to be captain out on the field," said Panesar. "He's got a lot of experience and led England to an Ashes win. He's very excited about going to the World Cup and it's great to have him."

Panesar wants Vaughan to be given the all-clear to face New Zealand in England's tournament opener on March 16, but believes the side will not be weakened if Flintoff resumes the captaincy.

He added: "If Andrew Flintoff replaces him then we are still in a very good position because he's a very good captain who leads from the front.

"Andrew is an inspiration on and off the field."

Panesar is delighted by his own inclusion in the World Cup squad and admits he never expected to be among the 15 who will be departing for the West Indies on Friday.

Poor batting and fielding had blocked the Northamptonshire spinner's path into the one-day team but major progress in those departments saw him promoted to the starting line-up for the CB series.

"It's very exciting for me to be going to the West Indies. When I was first selected for the Ashes tour I never thought I'd be involved in the World Cup," he said.

"Before Australia I hadn't played any one-day cricket for England so to be involved in the World Cup is very exciting."