The Chairman of England's cricket selectors, David Graveney, today issued the following statement in response to media reports that the Kent batsman, David Fulton, had been put on official stand-by for this winter's tour of India and New Zealand.

David Graveney said: "I did tell David Fulton at the end of the season that he was unlucky not to have been chosen for the winter tour squads and that he would be in our thoughts as a possible replacement if anyone withdrew from the tour party.

"But I would like to make it clear that at this stage we have not formally appointed any players to be on stand-by for this winter. We will not make any decision on replacements until we hear from the five players who have yet to confirm whether they are available for the tour of India."

© England and Wales Cricket Board