London: Injuries to England players have delayed the squad announcement for the first Test against India, it was revealed on Thursday.

Though the 13-man party was due to be named early on Thursday, it will now probably be announced either on Friday or Saturday because of the worsening situation over the past couple of days.

On Wednesday, Somerset duo Marcus Trescothick and Andy Caddick were ruled out. Trescothick's multiple fracture in his left thumb - endured while fielding against Worcestershire - will almost certainly rule him out of the entire four-match series, which begins at Lord's next Thursday.

The England vice-captain is wearing a cast around his hand and the recovery time has been diagnosed as between six to eight weeks, with the final Test against the Indians starting in seven-weeks time.

Andy Caddick, Trescothick's Somerset team-mate, was ruled out of contention after suffering a slight reaction in trying to return from a side strain on Wednesday.

Copyright AFP 2001

Extras:
'Failure to adapt to Eng conditions cost us series'
Caddick ruled out of first Test due to rib injury