Plunkett to miss Pakistan Tests

England paceman Liam Plunkett will miss the second and third Tests against Pakistan after suffering a side strain.

Plunkett sustained the injury playing for his county side Durham against West Indies A last week.

"After consultations with physio Kirk Russell on Tuesday morning he was ruled out of the next two tests," the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said on their website.

Plunkett, who has played six Tests, is also rated doubtful for the final Test at The Oval, which starts on August 17.

He joins long-term absentees Andrew Flintoff (ankle), Michael Vaughan (knee), Simon Jones (knee) and Ashley Giles (hip) on the injury list.

The second Test starts at Old Trafford on Thursday. Plunkett's place will be taken either by Sajid Mahmood or Jon Lewis.