LONDON, 18 August 2004 — England will start tomorrow’s fourth Test against West Indies overwhelming favorites to clinch a magnificent seventh successive victory. After seeing off a rugged New Zealand 3-0 earlier in the summer, Michael Vaughan’s exciting side have outclassed their Caribbean guests with embarrassing ease.

Victory at the Oval would not only complete a 4-0 whitewash, the first over the Windies at home since 1928, it would equal England’s best winning Test sequence set in that same year.

England captain Michael Vaughan has enjoyed a dream start to the job since taking over from Nasser Hussain during last year’s home series against South Africa.

Despite starting his reign with two defeats in his first three Tests in charge, England have only lost once since, to a Muttiah Muralitharan-inspired Sri Lanka in Colombo. Vaughan, who has a refreshingly straightforward attitude to the job, puts it all down to a winning mentality.

“We’re in the habit of winning,” Vaughan said after Monday’s defeat of West Indies. “When the match can go either way, we firmly believe it’s going to go our way.”

That attitude was never more evident than against West Indies on Sunday. With the visitors on 88 for one, an overall lead of 153, Brian Lara’s young side appeared to be closing in on a morale-boosting victory.

Past England teams may have crumbled, but not this one.

The revitalized slow left-armer Ashley Giles had dangerous opener Chris Gayle brilliantly caught by Matthew Hoggard at long-on and when Lara fended off a ferocious Andrew Flintoff snorter to Andrew Strauss in the slips the game turned on its head and the tourists were bowled out for 165. A victory target of 230 was still formidable on a wearing pitch, but the confidence instilled by several high-scoring run chases this year propelled England to victory in front of 15,000 joyful fans. Whatever happens at The Oval, the real examinations of Vaughan’s new-look England are still to come with a trip to South Africa and then a home Ashes series against Australia next year. But what is becoming clear is that England no longer rely on ore or two individuals to carry them through. Like the great Australia sides of recent years, the responsibility is being shared around.

If one batsman fails, another will stand up to be counted as Robert Key demonstrated on Monday with his unbeaten 93 after England had slumped to 27 for two.

If one frontline bowler is struggling with his line, another will invariably come up with vital wickets. Steve Harmison, rated as the most dangerous fast bowler in the world, has no t had the best of series against West Indies.

Instead Hoggard’s unsung medium pace has reaped 14 wickets while all rounder Flintoff has taken 12, including that of Lara on three occasions. Giles has also reveled in the trust shown in him by Vaughan. From a damage- limitation bowler, he has been transformed into a wicket-taker with an extraordinary 21 against West Indies so far.

England’s leading batsman Graham Thorpe will miss The Oval Test with a broken finger, meaning a call-up for uncapped Warwickshire player Ian Bell.

Confidence is at such a high, however, Thorpe’s absence should go largely unnoticed as the feel-good factor surrounding the England team reaches new heights.