Chairman of selectors David Graveney insists captain Michael Vaughan's place in England's World Cup team has never been under threat.

The Yorkshire batsman will lead his side into tomorrow's showdown with South Africa needing to rediscover his form if his faint dreams of Caribbean glory are to remain alive.

However, Graveney insists neither he nor coach Duncan Fletcher will be swayed by disquiet over Vaughan's performances with the bat.

''That has not crossed my mind or anybody else's,'' said Graveney.

''He is the appointed captain of England in both forms of the game. We have not played to our capabilities, Michael has been very honest about both his form and the team's form.

''With 9.30am starts most sides seem to have lost quite a lot of early wickets. But he is a quality player.''

Andrew Flintoff's relative lack of success with the bat has also been a topic for debate and there have been calls for him to be promoted up the order to provide fresh impetus.

However, that does not appear to be an option.

Graveney said: ''The wickets we are now playing on in Barbados have been slightly different, with a bit more pace and bounce, which will probably suit both teams on Tuesday.

''Against Bangladesh, chasing a low score, Freddie played as well as anybody else in the middle of the order."

England's stuttering campaign has renewed the pressure on Fletcher, but Graveney said: ''As far as I am concerned, Duncan is an outstanding international coach."