By Jonathan Agnew BBC Sport's cricket correspondent

Of the three candidates for the position of England's one-day captain - Marcus Trescothick, Michael Vaughan and Adam Hollioake - it was Vaughan who made up the most ground.

In fact, had this decision been made only six months ago, it is highly unlikely Vaughan would have won the selectors' vote.

Trescothick, who has served as Nasser Hussain's deputy, was more widely considered to be the heir apparent.

But his alarming dip in batting form over the winter has, wisely, persuaded the selectors the Somerset opener could do without the extra burden of the captaincy, and concentrate purely on scoring runs again.

Hollioake has many supporters, not least because he was in charge when, five years ago, England enjoyed its most successful period of one-day cricket in recent memory.

Hollioake is the more 'in your face' of the three candidates, and that works for some players, but not for everyone

Under Hollioake's leadership, an otherwise very ordinary England team won the Champions trophy in Sharjah.

It was one of the more surprising decisions that saw Alec Stewart assume the captaincy for the feeble World Cup campaign that followed two years later.

Hollioake is the more 'in your face' of the three candidates, and that works for some players, but not for everyone.

His attitude, though, has mellowed in the past 12 months following the sad death of his brother, Ben and, arguably, Adam is now playing the best cricket of his life.

However, Hollioake is not likely to add to his four Test caps.

While that could have persuaded Hussain his role as England's Test captain was not under threat, it makes sense for Vaughan - who is a much more realistic Test captain of the future - to be given the chance to see what he is made of.

There are, however, two serious concerns which the selectors would have considered long and hard.

The first is the obvious question of the added responsibility having an adverse effect on Vaughan's spectacular recent form which has propelled him to the top of the world rankings.

Vaughan has made some extraordinary howlers in the field

I must say I would be surprised if this proves to be the case, but since the law of averages suggests Vaughan will not repeat his remarkable feats of the past year, we must all guard against blaming the captaincy on any dip of form.

The second, and more intriguing talking point is Vaughan's fielding. For a man with a wonderful eye, he has made some extraordinary howlers in the field, including dropping the easiest of catches.

It has been difficult from the sidelines to provide any other answer than wavering concentration for these blemishes.

While it would be an exaggeration to describe Vaughan as a liability in the field, the sight of the captain letting the ball through his legs does not do a lot for team morale.

Now England have a captain, the serious business of rebuilding after another disappointing World Cup - the third in a row - can begin in earnest.