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Neil Hallam reports on yet another cruel blow for England as New Zealand series looms

The depression which settled over England when they were summarily ejected from the group stage of the World Cup took on an even gloomier pall when Darren Gough, one of the few not mired by the failure, was ruled out of the first Test against New Zealand at Edgbaston on July 1.

The Yorkshire paceman took 10 wickets in England's five Group A matches but returned to Headingley with a niggling calf injury which has been diagnosed as requiring prolonged rest and treatment.

Yorkshire's director of coaching, Martyn Moxon, yesterday issued a statement which confirmed: ``Darren was withdrawn from our National League game against Essex Eagles due to a niggling calf muscle injury which has failed to heal satisfactorily.

``After further examination by the county's physiotherapist, Caryl Becker, it has been decided that Darren needs rest, treatment and rehabilitation.

``The nature of this injury means that he will be unavailable for Yorkshire's forthcoming fixtures and the first Test. The England physiotherapist and management team have been kept fully aware of the situation and are in full agreement with this diagnosis and planned treatment.''

Moxon added: ``It is a problem with his left calf which started during the World Cup but it did not seem too serious when he came back to us, and he played in our National League game against Hampshire the day after England were knocked out.''

Figures of two for 29 in nine overs in that game did not suggest a major problem but Moxon continued: ``He felt the problem again so he missed our next two championship matches, against Derbyshire and Hampshire, and only came back this week for the game against Sussex.''

He took three for 59 in Sussex's first innings but managed only one for 75 in 20 second-innings overs.

Moxon said: ``He had bowled in the nets without any adverse reaction for two days but he felt the calf tighten again against Sussex and it was obvious it wasn't right. The chances are that we are now talking at least two to three weeks before he'll be ready to play again, and that's a blow to Yorkshire as well as to England.''

Gough's injury robs England of their most hostile bowler and his absence adds to the speculation about the team's attacking options for the Test series.

Andy Caddick's case will probably be advanced by Gough's absence, and the news from Headingley will inevitably add to the clamour for England to promote one of the young thrusters such as Chris Silverwood, or Durham's Steve Harmison.