Vaughan's elbow injury has England fearing the worst

Vaughan was taken to hospital for an X-ray after he was struck on the right elbow. The scan revealed the blow had caused heavy bruising but no fracture. His fitness will be reassessed at England's final practice session this morning.

The underprepared nature of the Edgbaston pitch had caused England's selectors to add Paul Collingwood to their original 12-man squad and there is a strong possibility that another batsman, Robert Key, could be asked to travel to Birmingham if Vaughan fails to convince the selectors of his fitness. Marcus Trescothick would be made captain in Vaughan's absence.

After scoring three and four in England's 239-run defeat in the first Test at Lord's, Vaughan is under pressure to post a decent score in this match. He scored an unbeaten 116 for Yorkshire against Kent on Sunday.

It would be a surprise to see Vaughan pull out with such an injury and he will be aware of the psychological lift the Australians would get if he did not play.