Ian Blackwell To Replace Giles

England frontline spinner Ashley Giles will return home following the Test series to undergo surgery on a problematic hip injury, with Somerset captain Ian Blackwell flying out to join the party as extra cover.

Blackwell isn’t a newcomer to the England one-day set up having previously represented his country on 23 occasions including a member of the 2003 World Cup squad; averaging just 16.16 with the bat and taking 15 wickets.

While the stats may not be flattering Blackwell will be eager to gain another chance to impress, his big hitting will make England’s middle order a fearful sight for any bowler slotting in just behind Flintoff and Pietersen and the spinning wickets of the sub-continent should suit his slow bowling.

England also have also been forced to make a back up plan in the event of captain Michael Vaughan missing next month’s five limited-overs internationals because of his knee injury that he sustained in the warm up games at the start of the tour.

Ian Bell has been placed on stand-by as batting cover and Marcus Trescothick would again deputise as captain.