Vaughan in doubt for New Zealand match

Michael Vaughan: still struggling for fitness © Getty Images

England are facing up to the likelihood that their captain, Michael Vaughan, will not be fit enough to lead the side in their must-win encounter against New Zealand at the WACA on Tuesday.

Vaughan damaged his left hamstring while fielding during England's solitary victory of their CB Series campaign, against New Zealand at Hobart on January 16, and Andrew Flintoff, his deputy, admitted England could not be sure he would be ready in time.

"Vaughan is doubtful, there is a doubt surrounding his fitness," Flintoff told a news conference on Monday. "I think the final decision will be made tomorrow, see how he rocks up. He's done some running out there today but I think a final decision will be made in the morning."

And, as if that was not bad enough for a flatlining side, both of their most impressive fast bowlers to date, James Anderson and Jon Lewis, have been ruled out of contention with niggling injuries.

The absences will be another devastating blow to a team whose morale is, in Vaughan's opinion, as low as he has ever known it. New Zealand thrashed England by 90 runs in their last meeting, at Adelaide last week, before running Australia improbably close in a high-scoring encounter in Perth on Sunday.

Defeat at the WACA would leave England needing victories in both their final matches, against Australia and New Zealand, to qualify for the finals. "I think the one thing now is we can't dance around it," Flintoff said. "We have got to be honest with ourselves.

"We have just got to stand up. I could sit here and tell you all types of different things -- but we have got to score some runs."