Uncapped left-hand batsman Alastair Cook could make his debut for England in the third Test against Pakistan after it was confirmed that opener Andrew Strauss will be flying back home on Friday.
A spokesman for the England team said Strauss, who has played 21 Tests and 39 one-day internationals, was returning home to be with his wife, who is pregnant and close to delivery.
"Strauss is flying back home but he will be back for the one-day internationals," spokesman Andrew Walpole said.
Strauss had informed the England team management in advance about his intention to fly home for the birth of his child after the second test.
In his absence for the third Test starting on November 29 in Lahore, 20-year old Cook, who plays for Essex, appears to have a good chance to make the eleven.
Cook scored a double hundred against the Australians in a tour match this summer and has also captained the England under-19 team in the 2004 Youth World Cup in Bangladesh.
He was called up as cover for England captain Michael Vaughan who missed the first Test due to a knee injury but recovered to play in the second.
Pakistan won the first Test while the second is evenly poised with Thursday the final day. Overnight, Pakistan had an overall lead of 199 runs, with four wickets in hand in their second innings.
