Trescothick to stay in Pakistan

Marcus Trescothick : staying with the team © Getty Images

Marcus Trescothick has decided to remain with the England squad in Pakistan, and will not be flying home to be with his family, after his father-in-law was hospitalised with serious head injuries after falling from a ladder on Wednesday.

"The past few days have been very traumatic for my family, and I am naturally extremely concerned for my father-in-law," said Trescothick. "Having talked with my family and the England captain and coach, I've decided to remain with the squad."

His father-in-law's condition is now described as stable, but Trescothick discussed all options with England's management team before reaching his decision. "Family becomes more important than cricket in these situations," said his captain, Michael Vaughan, who missed the first Test with a knee injury. "But his presence is enormous and hopefully he will be available for selection."

If England had lost Trescothick, then it would have put even more pressure on Vaughan to return in time for the Faisalabad Test. Trescothick has been the form batsman of the tour, and at Multan his first-innings score of 193 was more than the entire team managed in the second innings.

England are also likely to lose Andrew Strauss for the third Test as he is scheduled to return home for the birth of his child. Batting cover has already been brought in, with Essex's Alastair Cook summoned to Pakistan last week when Vaughan broke down.