England captain Michael Vaughan will definitely miss the Ashes series against Australia starting in November.
Vaughan underwent surgery on his injured right knee earlier this week which revealed more damage than expected, and the England and Wales Cricket Board have since ruled him out of the fastest and highest-selling cricket series in Australian history.
"We can confirm the specialist said Vaughan will not be available for the Ashes series," an ECB spokesman told BBC Sport.
The classy batsman attempted a comeback with Yorkshire in the English County cricket season, but experienced soreness in his knee during a match against Sussex which led to the decision to have an operation.
Vaughan's leadership was considered a major factor in England shock 2-1 Ashes victory over Australia last year, and his unavailability is a major blow for his side which has been hit hard by other injuries in recent times.
Pace bowler Simon Jones, who had a sensational series last year, has undergone keyhole surgery on his left knee and although he refuses to rule himself out of the Ashes, there are massive concerns as to his availability.
Even if the master exponent of reverse-swing does achieve fitness in time, it would be a major gamble by the selectors playing someone who has had little cricket in the past year.
Andrew Flintoff, man-of-the-series in last year's Ashes triumph, will captain the side in place of Vaughan - who has led England to seven series wins out of 10 as skipper.
