Fit-again Thorpe answers Hussain's call to duty

Chris Silverwood and Graham Thorpe have been called into the England one-day squad for the tour of Zimbabwe, which starts next week.

The Yorkshire fast bowler Silverwood replaces Leicestershire's James Ormond, who has tendinitis in his right knee. Thorpe, the Surrey batsman, takes the place of the Yorkshire all-rounder Craig White, who twisted his knee in pre-tour training last week and has been advised to rest for 10 days.

Silverwood, who has been receiving treatment for a rib injury, and the Lancashire all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, who has an injured right thumb, both came through fitness tests at the weekend.

David Graveney, the chairman of selectors, said: "While Graham Thorpe may not appear to be a like-for-like swap for Craig White, the selectors had planned to use Craig in the top three in Zimbabwe and felt that we needed an experienced batsman as his replacement.

"When the squad was originally announced, Graham Thorpe was not included because his hand injury was still a cause for concern. But he has now been given a clean bill of health."

Thorpe was in the gym when he found out about his call-up. "There was a message on my phone from Nasser Hussain saying 'phone me back in five minutes, something's come up'. He said there was chance I could go to Zimbabwe and an hour later it was confirmed."

The England and Wales Cricket Board has appointed Ottis Gibson as its new national coach for the North-west region. Gibson, 32, played two Tests and 15 one-day internationals as a fast bowler for the West Indies in the 1990s.

He takes the position vacated by John Abrahams, who was recently appointed assistant coach for the ECB National Academy.