Lamb - no regrets (Getty Images).

By Mark Staniforth, PA Sport

England cricket bosses insist they have no regrets over the Zimbabwe boycott which cost them their World Cup dream.

Nasser Hussain's team returned home today after being eliminated from the tournament prior to the Super Six stages - largely because their refusal to play in Harare cost them four expected points.

But the England and Wales Cricket Board chief executive Tim Lamb said today he was satisfied with the decisions made.

Lamb told the BBC's Breakfast With Frost: "The ECB management board met earlier in the week and went through the sequence of events and the general consensus was that it was difficult to see how we could have done anything different.

"It was a blow that we didn't get through to the Super Sixes - we should have beaten Australia and clearly losing the points from a match we were expected to win (in Zimbabwe) ruined our chances in the World Cup.

"But at the end of the day our decision not to send the players was borne out of our duty of care - imagine how we would have lived with ourselves if anything had happened in Harare."

Lamb admitted he was expecting to fight a hefty compensation claim from the International Cricket Board's commercial partners, the Global Cricket Corporation.

But he insisted the ECB would mount a strong case in their defence and were confident of winning any ensuing battle.

Lamb added: "We believe we have a strong legal case and we will defend that - but it remains to be seen what sort of damages are claimed."

Meanwhile, Michael Vaughan believes the future is bright for England one-day cricket - despite the disappointment of their exit.

Speaking on Radio 5 Live's Sportsweek with Garry Richardson: "We have a nucleus of young talent so we have to learn from what happened over there. Eight or nine of them should be available for the next World Cup.

"The young players, like Paul Collingwood, Jimmy Anderson and Andy Flintoff, prove we've got a good future and a good blend of people.

"We're probably the only team who've pushed Australia anywhere near and we have to take heart from the fact we've got close to them."

Vaughan is flattered to be linked with the job of England captain - but will not be too disappointed if he fails to become Nasser Hussain's replacement.

"It's great to be mentioned - people must think quite highly of me.

"There are many candidates but I'm not sure when the selectors are going to make their decision.

"All I've said is if the job was offered there is no way you can turn it down - but there are six or seven players in the same boat as I am.

"If I don't get the job it won't be a massive disappointment - I'll just continue to play and try and score as many runs as I can."

In the meantime, he is just going to take things easy ahead of the forthcoming domestic season.

He added: "I'm going to have six weeks away from the game and think about nothing but golf, socialising and getting to know my friends and family again."