Essex batsman Alastair Cook was denied an opportunity to make his debut in the final Test of England's tour of Pakistan today.
The 20-year-old Essex opener had joined up with the national side several weeks ago and there had been a lot of speculation that he would win his first cap in place of Andrew Strauss, who has headed home early from the tour to be present at the birth of his first child.
But the England management team decided to select all-rounder Paul Collingwood over Cook as they search for a win that would level the three-Test series.
The other change in the England line-up was that Durham seamer Liam Plunkett made his debut as a replacement for spinner Ashley Giles, who is likely to have surgery on a troublesome hip injury next week.
More in today's Evening Gazette
Published Tuesday, November 29, 2005
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