New skipper Kevin can play lead role for years ahead

Come tomorrow Pietersen will be as proud as punch to lead England through the Long Room and onto the grass at Lord's.

Captaining the one-day team in a 50-over international that, whatever the result, is unlikely to make much of a splash in cricket's rapidly thickening history book will have nothing to do with the Indian Premier League or a Stanford £ 10million match.

It will be about England trying to square the NatWest Series, about playing the game properly after Wednesday evening's unsavoury events at The Oval - and about a bloke trying to show he can lead through word and gesture as well as by batting example. Above all, it should be a lot of fun to watch because Pietersen is bound to want to make things happen.

Collingwood was seen as the safe choice for one-day captain when Vaughan stood down last year after England's anaemic performance in the World Cup. And, having served a four-match ban that was imposed because of his team's slow over-rate, he will probably return to the helm before August's NatWest Series against South Africa gets interesting.

But the jury has not yet made up its mind on Collingwood's leadership skills - and won't have been pushed any nearer a positive verdict by Wednesday's run-out incident which the skipper should have nipped in the bud by recalling Grant Elliott.

So, if Vaughan sustained an injury before Thursday week's First Test against South Africa, who would replace him as captain?

Not Collingwood, that much seems certain. He is fighting hard to retain his place in the five-day side, for one thing, and would enjoy the extra pressure of captaincy about as much as a collision with Ryan Sidebottom.

Andrew Strauss is the most likely, but it was only four Tests ago - and four Tests against New Zealand, remember - that Strauss looked as though his international career might be beyond rescue. So another alternative to Vaughan is needed. Not for a year or two, hopefully, but it is good to have a few candidates in mind. And one of those contenders could be Pietersen.

"Captaining England has been a dream of mine but I understand I'm assuming the role in Paul's absence," he said. "To be asked to captain your country is the ultimate honour in sport and I feel privileged and proud. I am excited by the challenge of captaining such a young and talented side."

Your country? Find fault with that phrase, if you will. But just wait until New Zealand have gone home and England are up against South Africa before questioning Pietersen's passion.

No matter who the selectors had put in charge for tomorrow's game, though, the overall requirement would not have changed: the home team needs to finish this NatWest Series like they started it in Chester-le-Street to bring the first half of the summer to a satisfactory close.

"I, like the rest of the dressing-room, expect an outstanding England performance to finish the series on a high," said Pietersen.