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Vaughan ruled out of decisive Pakistan-England test

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December 7, 2000 

KARACHI-- (AP) - England's middle-order batsman Michael Vaughan will not play in the decisive third test against Pakistan after he failed a fitness test on Wednesday.

Vaughan developed a calf injury during England's warm-up game last month and won't play Thursday when the test begins in Pakistan's southern port city.

"Vaughan is not fit enough to play," said English captain Nasser Hussain. But, wicketkeeper Alec Stewart, who had a strained right elbow, "will certainly be in the playing eleven on Thursday morning," he said.

Hussain, who led England in the two drawn test matches, said it will require "something very special" to beat Pakistan to take the three-match series.

England has not won a series on Pakistan soil since 1962 when Ted Dexter won the series 1-0.

"To beat Pakistan in Pakistan will really require something very special. One bad day in the office and you miss it," said Hussain, who ruled out major changes to his squad.

"There are not many changes expected. But there are one or two decisions to mull over."

England's biggest disappointment in the earlier tests was spinner Ian Salisbury's poor performance, taking just one wicket in two games.

Paceman Matthew Hoggard took 17 wickets in the warm up matches, but was unimpressive to selectors for the big match. However, Hoggard might be called on to replace Salisbury in the final eleven on Thursday morning.

The pitch at the National Stadium in Karachi offered no surprises to Hussain, who said he expects it to help the spinners.

"It looks more or like the same as we had in Lahore and will definitely suit the spinners, it will deteriorate a bit."

But England's captain warned Pakistan that his team was here to win, not to play a draw or lose.

"So far we have done well against Pakistan's spinners and I think we have a good chance against them here," said Hussain.

But history is certainly on Pakistan's side, not having lost a single test match in Karachi in the last 34 test matches here.

"We will certainly try to keep the record intact," Pakistan captain Moin Khan told reporters after his te Alex Tudor.

Umpires: Nazir Junior (Pakistan), Steve Bucknor (West Indies); TV replays: Feroze Butt; match referee: Ranjan Madugalle (Sri Lanka).