Both sides have appointed new captains since being knocked out of this year's World Cup in the first round, Michael Vaughan taking charge of England and Graeme Smith leading the South Africans.

The 28-year-old Vaughan skippered a new-look England side to a 2-1 victory over Pakistan this month, but is expecting a tougher test, particularly from South Africa.

"It will be a great challenge for us to face them," he said. "For our young players to face the likes of (all rounders) Jacques Kallis and Shaun Pollock in front of a big crowd will be a great experience.

"They've got plenty of experience, plenty of flair and we'll really have to be on the ball to compete against them."

England's victory over Pakistan was largely due to the batting of opener Marcus Trescothick, who made 86 and an unbeaten 108 to inspire two victories after Vaughan's side lost the opening game.

The other batsmen failed to shine and Vaughan needs to find consistent runs from other sources, particularly the middle order whose frailty has long since been a feature of England's one-day side.

The captain has failed to transfer his prolific test form to the one-day arena, while youngsters Vikram Solanki and James Troughton, and all rounders Andrew Flintoff, Anthony McGrath and Rikki Clarke struggled with the bat against Pakistan.

CUP HOSTS

South Africa are determined to make up for their failure to cope with the pressure of being World Cup hosts.

"We're trying to improve as a professional unit on and off the field," the 22-year-old Smith said. "Obviously, we realise performance is what counts to win tournaments and we need a lot of passion.

"The country took it badly when we went out of the World Cup early, and that is one reason we have gone the extra mile as we owe the South African public something back."

Smith will be able to rely on a core of players experienced in English conditions, including Pollock, the man he succeeded as captain, Kallis, wicketkeeper Mark Boucher and opening batsman Herschelle Gibbs.

Zimbabwe's Heath Streak, the most experienced of the three captains, believes his side can improve following their dismal showing in the recent Test series against England, in which they lost both matches by an innings.

Vaughan is not under-estimating the Zimbabweans, who reached the World Cup Super Sixes and have traditionally done better in one-day cricket.

"We mustn't forget Zimbabwe," he said. "They will be a tough nut to crack and have some very experienced performers in their ranks, like (fast bowler) Heath Streak and (batsman) Grant Flower."

The teams play each other three times, starting with England against Zimbabwe in Nottingham on Thursday, before the top two meet in the final at Lord's on July 12.