Giles recovery good news for England
Staff and Agencies - 23 October 2000

Ashley Giles Photo © AllSport UK

Ashley Giles has endured a difficult few weeks. The perennial 12th man was granted the opportunity to earn a regular place in the England one-day team this winter, but injured himself in the warm-up to the ICC KnockOut.

A prominent role in England's final warm-up match before the one-day internationals was just what he needed, and his three wickets demonstrated his value to the team.

He was understandably relieved to come through the game against Pakistan 'A' without further problem.

"Getting through the match was the key objective and I've done that," he admitted. "Picking up three wickets is nice and it was an easy game to bowl in because they didn't really come at us, which allowed me to settle into some sort of rhythm as it was my first real bowl in the middle since last September."

Giles admitted to feeling frustrated recently, but stressed that he was much happier to be fully involved.

"It was good to be out there, to be involved with the boys again and to know you're going to get a decent bowl. The beginning of this tour has been very frustrating for me knowing I was going to get an opportunity and then being injured, but hopefully I will get a few games in on this tour."

"I've bowled in the nets quite well this week and the ball was coming out alright then, and I just tried to carry that on, not worry about the leg injury and try and get with my job."

"We've prepared well, the batters are playing well and the bowlers are starting to bowl well, which is as much as you can do until you come up against their full-strength side," Giles explained.

Giles was reluctant to read too much into the victories to date though.

"We've played well on this pitch in the two games we've had, but come Tuesday it's going to be a completely different atmosphere with a packed house and a lot of noise, and we've just got to get on with the job."

The recovery of Giles will probably spell the end of Paul Grayson's involvement in the team, though he is expected to stay with the squad for the present.

England were written off before the tour by former captain Wasim Akram, but their impressive start has been recognised by their hosts.

"England are a good side," Pakistan coach Javed Miandad said. "The way they have won both their matches is proof they are good but we are ready for them, it will be totally different in the international matches."

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