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| November 10, 2005 | Thursday | Shawwal 7, 1426 |
Cook called up as cover for skipper Vaughan
MULTAN, Nov 9: England captain Michael Vaughan looks almost certain to miss the first Test on their tour of Pakistan through a knee injury with uncapped opener Alastair Cook called up as cover.
Vaughan injured his knee during this week’s warm-up match against Pakistan ‘A’ which England lost by six wickets. He is “very doubtful” to play in the first Test in Multan which starts on Saturday, said team management on Wednesday.
“Michael’s orthopaedic surgeon in the United Kingdom has viewed scans of his knee taken in Pakistan and the advice we have received is that he should rest the injury,” said team spokesman Andrew Walpole.
“Michael will remain with the squad and the medical team will continue to monitor his progress closely.
“He is rated very doubtful for the first Test and his availability for the second and third Tests in Faisalabad and Lahore will be reassessed in due course,” Walpole added.
“Michael will remain with the team and doctors will continue to monitor his progress from his knee injury closely.”
Vaughan twisted his right knee while taking a third run during the three-day tour match in Lahore on Monday.
The same knee required a cartilage operation in 2002 and also kept him out of a Test against New Zealand last year at Lord’s.
Walpole said 20-year-old Cook, who made a double century against Australia for Essex last season, would join the party later this week.
Cook was delighted with the call-up. “It’s unfortunate for Vaughan to be injured but a great opportunity for me and I will make the most of it,” he told the BBC website.
“I think it will be more about the experience. It is a great opportunity to go out there and learn about what Test cricket is like.”
Essex batting coach and former England captain Graham Gooch backed Cook’s selection.
“If he gets a chance then he has to take it — even if he doesn’t play a game then this is an opportunity to make his mark and to show the England hierarchy what he is capable of at close quarters,” he told the Essex website.
“He really is an impressive young man and has come a long way in a short space of time.”
The selectors have also decided to add (spinner) Shaun Udal and pacer Kabir Ali to the squad for the one-day series in Pakistan which starts on Dec 10.
The decision to keep Vaughan with the team came after the Wales and English Cricket Board (ECB) medical team consulted radiologists and orthopaedic specialists about the knee injury.
England’s euphoria on regaining the Ashes by beating Australia 2-1 has been punctured this week by Vaughan’s injury and their defeat by Pakistan ‘A’.
Meanwhile, Pakistan captain Inzamamul Haq said that his side would benefit in the first Test if Vaughan is ruled out by a knee injury.
“There is no doubt that when your opposing captain is out you get the advantage and we would benefit from Vaughan’s absence,” Inzamam said.
“Vaughan has been instrumental in England’s progress but we wouldn’t get complacent if he is ruled out, because mentally they are a very strong side and may overcome it,” said Inzamam.
Inzamam added that England’s loss against Pakistan ‘A’ — a brutal comedown for the team after their Ashes triumph — was also a plus for Pakistan.
“Our bowlers can take heart from the Pakistan ‘A’ bowlers and especially the way the young bowlers bowled in the morning sessions,” said Inzamam.
Inzamam played down speculation that Pakistan’s hopes of taming England at Multan rest with their spinners.
“I have not seen the pitch as yet but people’s opinions that we would only rely on our spinners is exaggeration. We want an equal role for fast bowlers because we have a number of good pacemen,” he said.
Pakistan lost their last Test at the Multan stadium — against arch rivals India last year — in a defeat which triggered a controversy over the pitch.
“What happened in the past is past. My young team has gained good experience in the last two series in India and the West Indies earlier this year, so I expect a very good fight from them,” said Inzamam.—Agencies
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