The England spinner Ashley Giles is celebrating the birth of his second child, after being telephoned by his wife with the news in New Zealand.

Giles' Norwegian wife Stine rang him this morning to say that eight-and-a-half-pound Matilde was successfully delivered in hospital near their Droitwich home.

"It's very sad I couldn't be there, but it's a special moment for both of us," said Giles. "I was on edge all night, waking up every three quarters of an hour wondering why I hadn't got the call.

"I'm sure there has been a lot of emotional strain on her, but she kept it hidden from me very well and that has helped because it's been tough for me here.

"She told me to concentrate on my cricket and even last night when she was going into labour, she apologised for interrupting a team meal. That shows the depths she's gone to to make things easy for me.

"Stine is back at home now and she held Matilde to the phone so I've heard her cry for the first time. I have another one to play for and it does give you a lift.

"It's an emotional moment and I will probably always remember being in Napier. Stine has taken lots of pictures of her. I can't wait to see them if she can get them out to me."

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