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England will be without captain Michael Vaughan and Steve Harmison for next week’s first cricket Test against Sri Lanka.

Chairman of selectors David Graveney had said only players who featured in at least one four-day Championship game would be considered. An England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) spokesman confirmed: “Neither Michael nor Steve are in contention”.

Vaughan’s India tour ended early with a knee injury and Harmison left before third Test with a shin problem. The squad to face Sri Lanka at Lord’s will be named on Sunday, four days before the match begins. Neither Vaughan nor Harmison has played since returning from India.

Vaughan, who returned to running and batting in nets, was not named in Yorkshire side playing Sussex at Headingley, while Harmison’s Durham have no Championship game this week.

Andrew Flintoff, who led England to a 1-1 series tie in India, is likely to continue as stand-in captain, although management are worried by all-rounder’s workload.

Paul Collingwood stood in for Vaughan in Pakistan and India, scoring a maiden Test century in first Test in Nagpur. Alastair Cook, who hit a century on debut in same match, is also pushing for a place in line-up.

Graveney and fellow selectors Duncan Fletcher and Geoff Miller must also patch up pace-bowling attack with James Anderson already out with back injury. Simon Jones, who has a scan on his injured left knee on Thursday, is highly unlikely to figure.

Source:The News