England receive mixed injury news in further Ashes blow

BRISBANE - England fast bowler Darren Gough was back in cricket's casualty ward tonight with gloomy hopes of playing in the Ashes series as the tourists continued their scratchy preparation for Thursday's first Test.

Gough's troublesome knee has flared again and young quick Stephen Harmison has shin splints, forcing selectors to call tried paceman Alex Tudor into the Ashes squad less than 72 hours before the series begins at the Gabba.

That news rounded off a mediocre day for the tourists, who limped to 7-322 in their first innings against Queensland (582) when bad light ended the three-day tour match one hour early.

The only bright news was the form and fitness of opening batsman Michael Vaughan, who proved he had overcome knee surgery with an impressive knock of 127, featuring 23 fours and a six.

But England will carry more worry than hope into its contest with Australia after Gough's latest setback continued a run of outs which has prevented him from playing a Test for almost 15 months.

The 32-year-old reported swelling and discomfort after bowling two spells in the nets at Allan Border Field on Saturday and has been sent to the England Academy in Adelaide for further treatment.

Gough had hoped to play for Brisbane club University this weekend to help prove his fitness for the second Test in Adelaide from November 21.

"At this stage, we can't put a time-frame on Darren's recovery and we will have to wait for further guidance from the specialist as to the extent of his involvement in the rest of the winter tour programme," England coach Duncan Fletcher said.

"Our priority now is to ensure he gets intensive one-on-one treatment for his injury and expert medical advice."

Tudor has also had injury problems since he played his first Test against Australia four years ago and he was overlooked for this Ashes tour after taking 11 wickets at an average of 35.00 in four home Tests this year.

The 25-year-old, who has 26 wickets from nine Tests, was called up from the Academy squad and placed on standby for the Test pace attack of Andrew Caddick, Matthew Hoggard, Simon Jones and Andrew Flintoff.

But Vaughan retained a positive outlook tonight as the thunder rolled across Border Field, saving England from the potential embarrassment of following-on on a wicket which both teams described as flatter than an airport runway.

"We've had three good weeks of hard practice in Australia, where every game is tough, and all the players are ready for Thursday - the sooner it starts, the better," Vaughan said.

"We've gone all right and it was a very hard game for the bowlers here because of the flat wicket."

Vaughan was dropped on 45 and 75 by the Queenslanders but he looked in control outside those moments, charging to his 27th first-class century in 169 balls.

No.3 Mark Butcher (45) was also in solid touch while captain Nasser Hussain was scratchy as he edged to 27 before skying a catch to Michael Kasprowicz from off-spinner Nathan Hauritz.

England must improve both its batting and bowling before meeting the Australians, although the form of Vaughan, Butcher and opening batsman Marcus Trescothick could pose a genuine challenge for the home team.