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Trescothick to lead England

Thursday, May 20 2004

Marcus Trescothick has been appointed the England captain for the Test series opener against New Zealand starting today (Thursday) at Lord's, as Michael Vaughan has been ruled out due to a knee injury.

This will be the first time Trescothick will lead England in a Test, though he has done so twice in One-Day Internationals, both times with success.

Vaughan suffered a knee injury on Monday while facing a net bowler during a training session. He twisted his right knee, and as a result had to be carried off on a stretcher.

Though an initial scan on Vaughan's knee hasn't shown any serious damage, he still is in a considerable amount of pain, thus ruling him out.

Unlike New Zealand, England haven't named their final eleven for the opener, ahead of the start. Apparently, the England team management hasn't decided on either Andrew Strauss or Paul Collingwood. If the latter is selected, Mark Butcher will be promoted up the order to open with Trescothick.

Meanwhile, Aleem Dar who was supposed to officiate in the Test has pulled out too, due to a knee injury, and will be replaced by Rudi Koertzen.

Posted by Sudeep