Vaughan likely to miss rest of the series

Michael Vaughan is set to miss the rest of the CB Series in Australia as he is yet to recover from a hamstring injury. Vaughan suffered the injury in England's second game and was expected to miss playing for only a week. However, the injury has taken longer than expected to heal.

Vaughan was close to playing on Tuesday against New Zealand at Perth, but wicketkeeper Paul Nixon observed that he was unlikely to be rushed back.

"I actually had a bat with Michael in centre-wicket practice a few days ago and his hamstring wasn't quite up to scratch," Nixon said. "He struggled running, he is still having a lot of rehab, doing a lot of swimming, pool work, and having a bit of acupuncture.

"I don't think Vaughany will be taking much part, I really don't, sadly. It is too sore at the moment."

Speaking to the media last Sunday, Vaughan admitted he was still feeling the injury whenever he tried to run. Having never had a hamstring injury before, he was unsure how long he would be sidelined, with England desperately needing his leadership. The lingering injury is also a major blow to Vaughan's preparation for the World Cup, which is just over a month away.

England are hopeful that seamers Jon Lewis and James Anderson will be available to face Australia at Sydney on February 2, but the pair will be closely monitored prior to the match. Lewis is nursing an ankle injury while Anderson is down with a stiff back.