Giles to miss India tour

Ashley Giles has been ruled out of England’s tour of India with Ian Blackwell being officially announced as his replacement.

Giles’ hip injury flared up during England’s tour of Pakistan late last year and he was forced home to seek treatment, which he is still under-going. Dr Peter Gregory, the ECB’s chief medical officer said Giles was making steady progress but had not reached a stage where he was fit enough to resume bowling. Giles is continuing his rehabilitation with the Warwickshire medical team with regular assessments of his injury being under-taken.

David Graveney, the chairman of selectors hopes that Giles will continue making progress and will be fit enough to join the squad later in the tour.

Somerset all-rounder Ian Blackwell comes into the squad joining Shaun Udal and Monty Panesar within the spin bowling ranks. Blackwell has yet to play a Test for England but has played 28 ODIs taking 19 wickets at an average of 34.05 and scored 344 runs at an average of 15.83.