Vaughan doubtful for Lord's Test

England's preparations for the first Test against New Zealand suffered a serious setback when their captain Michael Vaughan was taken to hospital for a scan after sustaining a knee injury during a routine net session at Lord's on Monday.

Vaughan was batting against Zac Taylor, a left-arm spinner from the MCC cricket staff, at the time. Eye-witnesses said that Vaughan slipped and landed on his right knee. Although he initially seemed to be unhurt, a few seconds after standing up he collapsed to the ground, screaming in agony. After being treated by the England physio Kirk Russell and examined by Peter Gregory, the ECB's chief medical officer, he was stretchered off to a car.

The scan showed no significant damage to Vaughan's knee ligaments, although Gregory was not optimistic in his analysis. "Michael has a previous history of cartilage problems with the right knee," he said. "He may have aggravated an old injury. At this stage, he is in serious doubt for Thursday, but will continue to receive treatment from the England medical team over the next 48 hours."

Vaughan was a frustrated man as he explained the circumstances of his injury. "I ended up on the floor as you sometimes do when you play the sweep shot. As I went to stand up my body twisted and I just felt my knee lock. It's very frustrating, especially after doing so well in the West Indies and it looks as if I'm doubtful for Thursday. But you can never say never and I'll be giving myself every chance to try and get the knee right." Vaughan had surgery on the same knee, to repair a torn cartilage, in September 2002.

If he does miss the Test, it will be the first one he has missed since taking over from Nasser Hussain last season. Marcus Trescothick, the vice-captain on the recent West Indian tour, is the most likely candidate to take over. Middlesex opener Andrew Strauss has been called into the squad as cover, and he could make his debut on his home ground should Vaughan fail to recover.