Fletcher gives backing to struggling tourists

Duncan Fletcher has stressed the importance of providing support to under fire players Ian Salisbury and Graeme Hick who both have attracted criticism for their performances since England's tour to Pakistan started.

Leg-spinner Ian Salisbury has taken one Test wicket from 369 balls but made a resolute 33 as nightwatchman in Faislabad while Hick has scored 48 runs in three Tests.

Both are under pressure to retain their places for the third and final Test starting in Karachi on Thursday.

If Michael Vaughan is fit, he is likely to replace Hick and Salisbury may well find himself substituted by pace bowler Matthew Hoggard who impressed with strong wicket taking performances in the last two warm up games.

But the England coach refused to speculate on the changes under consideration for Thursday and beyond then, when the squad for Sri Lanka comes under review.

"There is nearly always a situation when certain individuals don't perform and some do and you just hope that they dovetail at some point," said Fletcher.

"When things are going well everyone contributes, but at other times some bowlers will perform and some batsmen will and you just hope there is a change-over at some stage.

"Cricket is all about confidence which is why it is very important that everybody gets as much support as they can from everyone."

Salisbury's figures failed to tell the complete story, Fletcher said.

"He bowled well on that last day. He didn't bowl any short stuff and got that wicket, and could have bowled for a bit longer.

"All he had to do was bowl a bit straighter earlier on in the Test match and make them play a lot more than he did by angling it in more at middle stump."

But even if Vaughan passes a fitness test, there is no guarantee he will be selected, Fletcher added.

"He's had a complete rest because we did push it a little bit before the last Test and we'll know tomorrow how fit he is. At this stage he hasn't done anything except work in the pool and it will be a big decision because we have to look at the make-up of the side."