While Michael Vaughan was tearfully announcing his resignation on Sunday, Andrew Flintoff was in the cinema with his children watching Kung Fu Panda, a film about a gaffe-prone and inexperienced outsider who is surprisingly appointed to lead the forces of good, which he does with his own unorthodox skills. “Prepare for awesomeness” is the film's tagline.

How awesome will Kung Fu Kevin be as England captain? According to Flintoff, Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook, three men who could have been given the job, Kevin Pietersen's confidence and work ethic will ensure that he lets no one down. “He's a strong and decisive character, who will lead from the front,” Strauss said. “A very determined player who will do a fantastic job” was Flintoff's view.

The three were taking a day off from nets to drive cars round the Silverstone circuit, an event organised by Vodafone, the team sponsor. Flintoff compared Strauss's careful driving to that of an old lady, but it was the opening batsman who was the favoured choice of Times Online readers to get England back on the road. Of 1,500 votes cast, 36 per cent said that Strauss should be the next captain, with Pietersen on 19 per cent.

Strauss, who led England to a series win over Pakistan in 2006, admitted to regret, if not resentment, that he was passed over. “I'm disappointed not to be given the opportunity,” he said. “I have unfinished business as captain, but the selectors have decided otherwise. Kevin is inexperienced but has the backing of all the players.”

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Cook admitted to a moment's thought that he could be asked to lead, but conceded that, at 23, “I am probably too young now”. Asked if the captaincy would affect Pietersen's batting, as it has many of his predecessors, Cook said: “KP knows his game very well. He is a cricket geek. Everything that has been thrown at him, he has dealt with brilliantly.”

Flintoff also backed Pietersen to maintain - indeed enhance - his standing as a batsman. “He is very single-minded and has confidence by the bucketload,” Flintoff said.

“Knowing Kevin, he'll start averaging 70 now.” Flintoff added that Pietersen should not water down his flamboyant and risky approach to batting. “We don't want him to change,” he said. “He does all these weird and wonderful shots, but he works really hard practising them in the nets.”

There was also heartfelt respect for the old sensei replaced by Kung Fu Kevin. “I feel sorry for Vaughan,” Flintoff said. “He was a great captain who deserved to go out on a high. I hope we've not seen the last of him as a batsman.”

Test squad

For the fourth npower Test match against South Africa, starting on Thursday, at Brit Oval: K P Pietersen (Hampshire, captain), T R Ambrose (Warwickshire), J M Anderson (Lancashire), I R Bell (Warwickshire), R S Bopara (Essex), S C J Broad (Nottinghamshire), P D Collingwood (Durham), A N Cook (Essex), A Flintoff (Lancashire), S J Harmison (Durham), M S Panesar (Northamptonshire), R J Sidebottom (Nottinghamshire), A J Strauss (Middlesex).