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Vaughan "definitely" fit for first Test

02/07/2008

Yorkshire director of cricket Martyn Moxon has said England captain Michael Vaughan will "definitely" be fit for the opening Test against South Africa.

Doubts have been raised over the fitness of the skipper after he was forced to receive ice-pack treatment on the injury during the final session of Yorkshire's County Championship match against Durham at Headingley yesterday.

However, Moxon has confirmed that the injury is "not a serious problem" and said Vaughan is a certainty to play in the opening match against the Proteas at Lord's, which begins next Thursday.

Vaughan has not been made available by England for Yorkshire's Friends Provident Trophy semi-final against Essex on Saturday because of the problem.

But Moxon and the England and Wales Cricket Board have insisted this is precautionary, rather than symptomatic of a new problem with Vaughan's knee joint.

The England captain struggled for fitness for more than 18 months due to ongoing difficulties with his knee.

After leading his side to victory in the 2005 Ashes series, Vaughan missed the entire 2006 season to have treatment.

And when he was unable to play any part in the return Ashes series in Australia in 2006/07 some experts suggested he may never play cricket again.

He returned to action during the one-day series on the tour, but was again forced to cut short his playing time because of a hamstring problem and flew home early.