Cook Called in to Cover for Vaughan

Michael Vaughan's participation in the forthcoming series against Pakistan remains uncertain, although he is to stay with the England team for medical treatment to his right knee. There are sufficient concerns about his condition, however, for the young Essex opener Alastair Cook to be called up as cover. Cook will join the squad today in their preparations for the first Test which begins in Multan on Saturday.

A decision to keep Vaughan with the squad rather than send him back to England for treatment came after consultation with specialists at home. Examination of the scans taken in Lahore on Monday, which had been sent to England, and comparisons with those taken when the England captain sustained a similar injury last year would seem to have uncovered nothing that cannot be healed with rest. A tear in the cartilage, which was feared at first, appears to have been discounted and although Vaughan seems certain to miss the opening Test the second Test in Faisalabad might still be a possibility.

There must now be some doubt about Vaughan's long-term future, because the knee has given him trouble for a while. Before the last tour of Australia three years ago he underwent surgery to repair a torn cartilage, and he injured it again while batting in the nets last year. This summer he was troubled by it again. The manner in which the knee collapsed on Monday, as he was running in a straight line between the wickets while batting, does not bode well for its future.

England will now go into the Test match with an inexperienced middle order against some of the most testing bowling the game has to offer. The elevation of Cook - a product of Derek Randall's coaching at Bedford School - is recognition of an outstanding talent. Last summer he came to prominence by taking a double century from the Australians in Chelmsford - an attack that included Brett Lee, Michael Kasprowicz and Stuart MacGill. He is a former England Under-19 captain and also toured Sri Lanka last winter with England A.

Shaun Udal, who will probably make his Test debut on Saturday at the age of 36, and the Worcestershire pace bowler Kabir Ali have been added to the original one-day squad of 13. Udal's inclusion as a second specialist slow bowler appears a sensible move, such is the habitual nature of the pitches here. Kabir Ali also ought to have received more consideration than he did for the original party. A year ago, in South Africa, he was an important member of the one-day side and would seem to have the bowling credentials - skiddy pace, full length and reverse swing - to succeed in Pakistani conditions.