Vaughan backs Freddie

The burden of captaincy seemed to affect Flintoff as England suffered an Ashes whitewash but he bounced back to lead the tourists to a surprise victory in the subsequent one-day Commonwealth Bank Series.

"He's an unbelievable talent and still the cricketer every other team would love to have on their side," Vaughan told The Mirror.

"When he's striking the ball cleanly and bowling fast, he's explosive - and one Test series hasn't diminished those powers.

"In a World Cup tie, you would back England if we needed 70 runs off the last eight overs if Fred was at the crease - and you would back England if the opposition needed 70 runs off eight overs and Fred had the ball in his hand.

"That's why he's the X factor player, so special... and that's why we are so lucky to have him."

And Vaughan believes that England's renewed confidence could see them flourish in the Caribbean.

"With Kevin Pietersen and Paul Collingwood around him in the batting order, we have a great opportunity to make an impact at the World Cup," he added.

"You don't become the best one-day team in the world by winning four games at the end of a long tour in Australia.

"What it proves is if we get the basics right, it's amazing how far it takes you."