Silverwood gets Ashes call-up

England today called up the Yorkshire and England pace bowler Chris Silverwood to their Ashes Test squad as a replacement for the injured Simon Jones.

Silverwood, who recently represented England in the Hong Kong Sixes tournament, will fly out to Australia on Sunday. He will join the squad on Tuesday morning in Hobart where England are due to play a three-day match against Australia 'A' starting next Friday.

Chairman of Selectors, David Graveney, said: "We see Chris as a like-for-like replacement for Simon Jones. He has genuine pace, hits the deck hard and the conditions in Australia should suit his type of bowling.

"His presence in the squad will provide real competition for places in the pace bowling department ahead of the next Test and he will be available to play in the three-day game in Hobart against Australia 'A.'"

Silverwood has won five Test caps for England, the last at Centurion Park in South Africa in 2000, and was a member of the England One-Day squad that toured Zimbabwe last autumn. He played a One-Day International against Australia at Lord's in 1997 but has not yet played a Test against Australia.

Commenting on his selection, Chris Silverwood said: "It's every cricketer's dream to play in the Ashes and I'm no exception. It's going to be hard work, but I'm looking forward to it and hopefully I can try and force my way into the Test side.

"I didn't have anything planned this winter so this is a nice bonus. I'm feeling fit as I've been working out in the gym and doing plenty of swimming to keep myself in shape. England got to the final of the Hong Kong Sixes and I felt that I bowled really well out there. I was bowling fast and getting the ball in the right areas, and that's what I'll be looking to do in Australia."