From Tanya Aldred in Mohali
Saturday, December 1, 2001

In the last month Britain has produced the most unpopular man in cricket - Mike Denness. They are now unveiling the unluckiest. Despite scoring a hundred in his last Test, Michael Vaughan was today as good as ruled out of the first Test against India at Mohali.

England will probably start on Monday with only five specialist batsmen and two allrounders - Andrew Flintoff and Craig White. Vaughan, who hasn't made runs in any of the tour matches, is the man who will miss out. Duncan Fletcher, the England coach, said "we rate Michael Vaughan and we're trying to get him into the side but he always seems to get injuries at the wrong time and then the guy who has taken his place has gone on to perform well. I think its important to show consistency, so that guy stays in the side."

Those injuries at the wrong time include finger and hand injuries, a calf strain and then the ligament damage in his knee which ruled him out of contention for the Ashes series and gave that guy Mark Butcher a chance to make his match-winning 173 not out against Australia at Headingley.

Vaughan already has three man-of-the-match awards under his belt in the 11 Tests he has played for England in a two-year career, and Fletcher is determined not to let him fall by the wayside.

"I think he appreciates the circumstances if he doesn't play in the side and we'll just make sure that if a batter falls ill or gets injured he's the next guy in."

England had a long practise at the gloriously technicoloured Mohali stadium this morning. All except Ashley Giles, resting because of yet another injury - this time a bruised heel that he picked up while fielding at Jaipur. No decision will be made about his fitness until tomorrow.

After Fletcher's mini-moan about the wickets, he had nothing but praise for this one at a place he called "tremendous. It rates with any I've played at or been involved in. "

The wicket, which at the moment has a good covering of grass, will give England's sophomore seamers a chance.

"This is a nice opportunity for them. Hoggard was knocking on the door in Sri Lanka and Pakistan. He bowled very well in Zim[babwe] and here's an opportunity to see if Caddick and Gough might have a problem regaining their places in the side."

Vaughan would do anything for that opportunity.

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