Vaughan faces battle for form and fitness

Michael Vaughan faces a make-or-break few days as England prepare for their three-day match against a Pakistan Cricket Board XI at the Bagh-e-Jinnah stadium in Lahore.

Not only must Vaughan prove his fitness before the back-to-back Tests that follow the game, but he will need to impress at the crease if he is to play any further role in the Pakistan tour.

With the pitch for the second Test, starting in Faisalabad on the 29th November, expected to favour the batsmen, Vaughan will be particularly keen to play.

"The next three days are going to be the real test for me, both fielding and running between the wickets, and we'll have a thorough indication of whether I'll be fit enough for the Test by the end of it," admitted Vaughan. "I think my selection for the Test depends very much on this game. It would be very hard to get selected on three first-class innings at the beginning of the tour. I was always going to have to play in this game to have any chance of playing in the last two Test matches."

Vaughan pulled a calf-muscle in Peshawar, ruling him out of the First Test, and continuing his run of ill-luck with injuries since he broke into the England team. He missed the fourth Test in Cape Town and the first three Tests of the English summer against Zimbabwe and the West Indies with a variety of breaks and bruises. Vaughan admits to feelings of frustration.

"I've had broken bones over the last year. As a batter you have to accept them, but when you get an injury like a calf (strain) it's very frustrating at a time when I was looking forward to getting involved in this Test series. In the last 12 months, I've had a lot of highs and lows with England doing well in the summer, but to miss the Zimbabwe Tests and the first Test against West Indies was a big disappointment.

"To come back into the team and be part of a winning England side was fantastic, and I was really looking forward to being part of this tour. But when I do get in and get a run now I'll try and make the most of it. I'll never take Test cricket for granted because I know there are so many ifs and buts around the corner."