Injured Cork to fly home tonight
Injured all-rounder Dominic Cork is on his way home from Pakistan tonight after being forced to abandon his fight for fitness.
Cork, who has been struggling with a back problem since the early days of England's tour, plans to see a specialist before the end of the week and can only hope that rest will prove to be the real answer.
England had tried to get Cork fit for their three-day game against an Invitation XI, which starts on Thursday, by giving him a cortisone injection. But one of the heroes of last summer's historic Test series victory over the West Indies is still in pain and unable to bowl.
Cork said: "I had a scan and it appears to be just wear and tear. My aim now is to get myself fit for the tour of Sri Lanka.
"It's disappointing to be leaving this tour early. I had hoped to be in contention for the Second Test but unfortunately it isn't to be."
England are not expected to replace Cork for this leg of the winter. But if a speedy cure proves beyond the Derbyshire player and he cannot travel to Sri Lanka at the end of January then a stand-in will have to be found.
England, meanwhile, look set to demonstrate their faith in leg-spinner Ian Salisbury.
Salisbury failed to pick up a wicket during the drawn First Test against Pakistan. But he wasn't outshone by opposite number Mushtaq Ahmed and, even more importantly, showed enough control to please coach Duncan Fletcher. "I think he looked effective in spells," said Fletcher. "We've just got to be patient."
After the loss of Cork, the news on batsman Michael Vaughan is more encouraging. Barring a setback in training, Vaughan will play on Thursday and attempt to regain a Test spot which he lost with a pulled calf muscle. Captain Nasser Hussain will rest his bruised wrist and back this week.
Rahul Dravid struck a career-best 200 not out as India moved into pole position in the First Test against Zimbabwe in New Delhi.
Sachin Tendulkar also made 122 as India declared on 458 for four. Zimbabwe were 119 for five at the close on the fourth day, a lead of 83.
South Africa have beaten New Zealand by five wickets in the First Test in Bloemfontein today.
