LONDON, Dec 6: England cricket captain Michael Vaughan will miss the one-day series against Pakistan as he undergoes an exploratory operation on his injured knee. Vaughan, who suffered the recurrence of a cartilage problem at the start of the recent Test series, returned home from Pakistan at the weekend and saw a specialist in England on Monday.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed on Tuesday that he is to have an “arthroscopic assessment” on the injury, which forced him to miss last month’s first Test in Multan.

Vaughan, 31, is still awaiting the birth of his second child and will have the operation as soon as possible after the birth.

“I’m bitterly disappointed to be missing the one-day matches against Pakistan but surgery really is the only option for me at the moment,” Vaughan said.

“I hope I can make a full recovery in time for the tour to India in the early stages of next year.”

England lost the first Test by 22 runs and drew the second at Faisalabad before being thrashed by an innings and 100 runs in the final match at Lahore.

It was England’s first Test series defeat after winning six in a row, including the Ashes against Australia in September, under Vaughan’s captaincy.

In Vaughan’s absence Marcus Trescothick — who filled in for him in Multan — will again captain the side in the five-match series.

Ian Bell will replace Vaughan in the batting line-up.

ECB chief medical officer Dr Peter Gregory said: “Following Michael’s injury at Bagh-i-Jinnah, which led to him missing the first Test, he recovered sufficiently to play in the second and third Tests.

“However, he has suffered intermittent pains which warrant further investigation, best done arthroscopically.

“This procedure will allow treatment of any problems identified and, the fact it is being done in the next few days should allow sufficient time for Michael to recover for the tour of India next year.”—AFP