MULTAN, Nov 10: England confirmed on Thursday that Marcus Trescothick will lead the tourists in the first Test against Pakistan after their injured skipper Michael Vaughan was officially ruled out.

In a brief statement read out at a press conference, Andrew Walpole, the England team media manager, said that Vaughan, who turned 31 last month, would continue to receive treatment on his right knee which twisted during the three-day tour game defeat against Pakistan ‘A’ earlier in the week.

According to Walpole, a further update on Vaughan’s progress will be issued in due course of time.

“The England selectors have appointed Trescothick as captain for the first Test in Vaughan’s absence.

“He will continue to lead the side if Vaughan is unavailable for any remaining matches on the tour of Pakistan,” the media manager said.

Meanwhile, Trescothick expressed his delight at being asked to lead England for the second time in a Test.

“For me personally, it is always a great honour to lead your country. I have fond memories of doing the job before against New Zealand at Lord’s last year and I am happy to take on the responsibility once again,” the England vice-captain said.

Ironically, Vaughan was forced out of that New Zealand Test with an injury on the same knee that has now sidelined him for the Multan Test.

Trescothick paid tribute to his skipper and promised England will be as competitive as ever going into Saturday’s first Test against Inzamamul Haq’s Pakistan side despite the untimely setback.

“Michael has a superb record as captain and to lose him for the first Test is a major blow.

“But we can take strength from the fact that we have played some outstanding cricket over the past 18 months and we are all up for the challenge that Pakistan offer on Saturday,” the Somerset left-handed opener remarked.

The England cricketers had an extensive workout at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Thursday morning, having arrived in the city on Wednesday.

The England players had nets under the watchful gaze of their Zimbabwe-born coach Duncan Fletcher and his team of assistants.

Following the injury to Vaughan, England have sent for a reinforcement in the shape of the highly-rated Alastair Cook, the 20-year-old uncapped Essex batsman who rose to prominence with a blazing double century for the county in a non-first-match against the Australians during the Ashes tour this year. However, Cook, the Gloucester-born left-handed opener, has not yet arrived in Pakistan.