Vaughan loses fitness battle

12 April 2012

Michael Vaughan has lost his fitness battle to lead out England in next week's opening npower Test against West Indies at Lord's.

Vaughan was optimistic of making the 12-man squad announced on Sunday morning by chairman of selectors David Graveney, despite breaking his finger playing for Yorkshire.

But he has failed to recover sufficiently and England have appointed Andrew Strauss as temporary captain in a squad which includes one uncapped Test player - Sussex wicketkeeper Matt Prior.

Prior has been included for the first time after winning a close selection battle for the gloves with Leicestershire's Paul Nixon and James Foster of Essex, while in-form Middlesex batsman Owais Shah has also been selected as cover.

"Michael Vaughan has made progress but his chances of being fully fit for this Test are extremely doubtful and we feel the best course of action is to avoid any uncertainty and for Andrew Strauss to deputise for him," explained Graveney.

"Michael will continue his rehabilitation with the squad at Lord's next week and we will reassess his fitness when we sit down to pick the side for Headingley (second Test).

"I have spoken to both Andrew Flintoff and Andrew Strauss about the captaincy position. Our view is that the team's best interests will be served if Andrew Strauss leads the team as this will allow Andrew Flintoff to concentrate on his batting and bowling."

Prior's call-up ends weeks of speculation about the identity of the wicketkeeper under new coach Peter Moores, who has worked with him both at Sussex and at the Academy.

Shah has been included after an outstanding start to the season for Middlesex and will provide cover should key batsman Kevin Pietersen fail to recover from the calf injury which sidelined him for this week's drawn championship match between Hampshire and Lancashire.

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