"We have got a fantastic chance of going out there and doing very, very well," Vaughan told reporters. "We've got a very experienced batting line-up but the only thing we can control is the next two and a half months. Most of our players weren't even born 36 years ago."
Vaughan underlined the need for his young side to make a solid start, with the first of four Tests beginning on March 11 in Jamaica.
| |||||||||||
"In the past few years we have been slow starters on big tours so it's important that we start this tour very, very fast."
Vaughan is pleased that young fast bowler Simon Jones has been added to the squad after recovering from a serious knee injury sustained 15 months ago.
"I'm delighted to have him around the squad but Simon hasn't played international cricket for a long period and he's only ever played one Test match," Vaughan said. "We shouldn't put too much pressure on him."
EXPERIENCE CRUCIAL
England have only three players in their squad who have played Test cricket in West Indies, former captain Nasser Hussain, and batsmen Mark Butcher and Graham Thorpe.
"The experience side of things is going to be crucial," Vaughan said. "Having Butch, Thorpey and Nasser on the trip is going to be a massive advantage for the team and for me as a captain."
Another player Vaughan is delighted to have is all rounder Andrew Flintoff, who came of age in last year's drawn home Test series against South Africa and departs for the Caribbean fully fit after a succession of injuries.
"He is a huge player for us," Vaughan said. "In the last two years he's missed far too many games. When he's in the game he adds that excitement, he can change the game in an hour with both bat and ball."
Despite West Indies' poor recent record, Vaughan will not be under-estimating Brian Lara's team, especially on home soil.
"West Indies have a very strong batting lineup," he said. "Any team with Brian Lara in is going to be hard to beat. We have to accept that he is a great player and he may have a day where he gets on top of us."
"Obviously the West Indies are vulnerable," Vaughan added. "They've just been beaten by South Africa convincingly but on their home soil they are a difficult team to beat."
England, who lost a three-Test series in Sri Lanka late last year, also play seven one-day internationals against West Indies.
