England call up Cook as cover for injured Vaughan by AFP

---

Player:	AN Cook
Event:	England in Pakistan 2005/06

---

DateLine: 9th November 2005

 

Essex batsman Alastair Cook is to fly out to Pakistan as cover for injured England captain Michael Vaughan, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced on Wednesday.

 

The move came after the ECB's medical team admitted that Vaughan, who injured his right knee on Monday while playing against Pakistan A, was "very doubtful" for the first Test, which starts on Saturday in Multan.

 

Cook will join the Test squad later this week. The 20-year-old left hander, who made a double hundred against Australia for Essex last season, is a former England Under 19 captain and was selected for this winters ECB National Academy Squad.

 

He toured Sri Lanka with England A last winter after being called up as a replacement for Kevin Pietersen.

 

In a statement, the ECB's medical team indicated that it was still unclear whether Vaughan's knee injury would end his tour.

 

"Michael's orthopaedic specialist in the UK has viewed scans of his knee taken in Pakistan and the advice we have received is that he should rest the injury.

 

"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 in Multan and his availability for the Second and Third Test Matches will be reassessed in due course."

 

Hampshire off-spinner Shaun Udal, who is currently with the Test squad in Pakistan, has been added to the one-day squad together with Worcestershire pace bowler Kabir Ali.

 

They replace Simon Jones and Chris Tremlett who were both forced to withdraw through injury.

 

Chairman of Selectors David Graveney said Cook deserved his chance.

 

"Alastair Cook has been called into the squad as we felt we needed an opening batsman to provide cover not only for Michael Vaughan, but also for Andrew Strauss who is expected to fly home before the Third Test to attend the birth of his child.

 

"Alastair had an outstanding season for Essex last summer, is a member of our National Academy Squad this winter and we believe he has the potential to succeed at international level.

 

"Kabir Alis bowling should be well-suited to the conditions we will encounter in Pakistan and his selection for this tour will give him another opportunity to stake his claim for a regular place in the side.

 

"Our original selection included only one specialist slow bowler, but now that the captain and coach have had an opportunity to assess the conditions in Pakistan we have decided that it would be prudent to add Shaun Udal to the one-day squad.

 

"Shaun has performed well thus far on tour and his vast experience of the limited overs game will be a useful asset to the squad."

(Article: Copyright © 2005 AFP)