MANCHESTER, England (AP):

MICHAEL VAUGHAN is on the verge of becoming England's most successful cricket captain.

England can secure the series against the West Indies with a win in the third Test at Old Trafford starting this morning. Vaughan's 21st Test victory as captain would move him past Peter May's tally of 20 wins, set 46 years ago.

However, preparation for the match has been sidetracked with Vaughan denying media reports that he blamed the drunken antics of all-rounder Andrew Flintoff in St. Lucia for England's lackluster performance at the Criket World Cup (CWC) earlier this year.

"I just think it's been blown out of all proportion," Vaughan said yesterday.

Not playing at home

Flintoff, who is nicknamed Freddie, won't be at Old Trafford - his home ground - because he's recovering from an operation on his left ankle. He's not played international cricket since the (CWC), where England reached the second round but failed to impress.

In St. Lucia, Flintoff went out drinking until the early hours after England lost their opening match to New Zealand and reportedly needed to be rescued from the ocean after capsizing a small pedal boat.

"Me and Freddie are good mates," said Vaughan, who was to meet with Flintoff later yesterday. "We've been trying to prepare for a Test match and all of a sudden, this arises and it's very disappointing."

Vaughan said the team had not been affected by the fallout, which included an angry response from Lancashire County Cricket Club, where Flintoff plays. Lancashire chief executive Jim Cumbes said the criticism of Flintoff was "despicable".

But Vaughan didn't expect the Lancashire crowd to turn against him today.

"I'm looking forward to getting Freddie fit and back in the team," Vaughan said. "He's the one player we miss desperately because of what he offers to the team and I'm sure the Manchester crowd will appreciate what's gone on."

England named an unchanged line-up for Manchester, giving paceman Ryan Sidebottom another chance to impress after he took eight wickets in his first Test in six years in Leeds. He's in for the injured Matthew Hoggard.

"Whether we bat or bowl, we have to make sure that we get on top of them early and don't let them back into the series," Vaughan said.

Vaughan, playing only his second Test after 18 months out with various injuries, said he won't be distracted by the captain's record.

"I haven't really thought about it to be honest," said Vaughan, who will play his 34th Test as captain. "It'd be a special moment, but I'm just enjoying being back playing cricket."