ASHLEY GILES has promised to nurse his "lover" Michael Vaughan through the first test of his England one-day captaincy.

Giles is one of England's most experienced limited-overs players and will be a pivotal figure as Vaughan takes the reins after the retirement of Nasser Hussain.

With six new caps named in the 15-man squad for the forthcoming games with Pakistan, South Africa and Zimbabwe, Vaughan will be relying on the nous provided by the likes of Giles and Darren Gough.

Warwickshire spinner Giles and Yorkshire star Vaughan are so close off the field that Test captain Hussain branded them "the lovers".

And Giles said: "It's important that a group of us get behind Michael Vaughan and help him to take the team in a new direction.

"We must stand as one and show the new guys coming in which way we want to be going.

"Those of us who have been around a bit should take on more responsibility. We have a fair bit of touring behind us and we need to take a forward step.

"There's a lot up for grabs at the moment which is a good chance for all of us, not only the younger lads.

"All of us need to make a big impression and take a leading role because the time is going to come when people like Andy Caddick and Darren Gough have gone completely.

"Then, it's going to be left to the likes of James Anderson, Steve Harmison, Matthew Hoggard, Simon Jones and myself to come to the fore."

Giles is the only spinner in the squad, even though fellow slow left-armer Ian Blackwell broke through and starred on the international stage in the winter.

His successive Test fifties against Zimbabwe - the first two half-centuries of his career - suggest Giles is batting as well as ever as the one-day series approaches.

He added: "Ian Blackwell is a very good cricketer but competition is good and I've enjoyed the challenge of trying to get back in the team.

"It's not that you become lazy and slack otherwise, but when there's competition you lift another level because you are forced to.

"When there's someone breathing down your neck or someone has taken your place, it's your job to fight back for it.

"That's the nature of the beast; there might be 15 people in the squad but only 11 can play.

"I think my batting was weak when I first came into international cricket. It has not been spectacular but it has certainly improved."