Giles on road to proving fitness for Ashes series

Ashley Giles will step up his quest for fitness ahead of the Ashes series by turning out for Warwickshire's second XI tomorrow.

Ashley Giles will step up his quest for fitness ahead of the Ashes series by turning out for Warwickshire's second XI tomorrow.

The left-arm spinner is battling to overcome a hip problem which kept him out of England's resounding triumphs over Bangladesh in the opening two Tests of the summer.

Giles has improved into an influential figure for England over the past 18 months during their emergence as a major force in Test cricket.

A cortisone injection failed to help Giles but now he will hope to show he is making good progress towards being fit for the five Tests against Australia by playing against Glamorgan in the Second Eleven Trophy at Neath.

If he comes through that game Giles is targeting another appearance for the Bears in their National League meeting with Leicestershire at Edgbaston on Sunday.

Giles said: "The plan is to play for Warwickshire seconds at Neath. If it goes well the aim is for me to play in the one-day game against Leicestershire on Sunday."

England need 32-year-old Giles to be fit and firing on all cylinders against Ricky Ponting's side and he had begun the season well with 24 championship wickets.

His comeback comes only days after former Australia paceman Terry Alderman launched a stinging attack on Giles, describing him as the weak link in England's bowling attack.