England v New Zealand, 2nd ODI, Edgbaston

Cook ruled out of second ODI

Cricinfo staff

June 17, 2008

	Alastair Cook: shoulder problem © Getty Images

Alastair Cook will miss the second ODI between England and New Zealand at Edgbaston on Wednesday, after failing to recover from the right shoulder injury that has kept him out of the set-up since the third Test at Trent Bridge last week.

Cook's place in the squad has gone to his Test opening partner, Andrew Strauss, although with Luke Wright and Ian Bell gelling impressively at the top of the order, he is not expected to break into the side that won both the Twenty20 at Old Trafford and the first ODI at Chester-le-Street by handsome margins.

New Zealand have also made changes to their squad, with the allrounder Grant Elliott earning a call-up as cover for the injured Jacob Oram. Elliott made his Test debut against England at Napier in March and took part in the early stages of New Zealand's tour while the senior players were away on IPL duty. He has since been playing for Weybridge in the Surrey League.

Oram's absence is a cruel blow for a New Zealand side that had high hopes of emulating their impressive 3-1 win in their last five-match ODI series against England in February. But he is expected to be out for up to ten days with a hamstring strain.

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