Grayson poised for debut

Paul Grayson, who joined the England squad as cover for the injured Ashley Giles, is determined to take his chance if the opportunity presents itself in the ICC Knockout quarter-final match against South Africa tomorrow.

Paul Grayson, who joined the England squad as cover for the injured Ashley Giles, is determined to take his chance if the opportunity presents itself in the ICC Knockout quarter-final match against South Africa tomorrow.

With Giles once again sitting out the practice session yesterday and Grayson being given a long bowl, indications are that the 29-year-old Essex all-rounder might have an even chance of making the line-up, certainly a reversal in fortunes for a cricketer who was starting his annual winter job as a brewery salesman when the call came from the selectors. "All I know at the moment is that I am on reserve. If Ashley Giles feels a lot better tomorrow he will play," Grayson said. "But I have been told to prepare myself to play, which I will do."

Grayson sees himself principally as a batsman in the first-class game but believes he can adapt to whatever job he is asked to do.

"I am not a great spinner of the ball. But in one-day cricket you do not need to be. My forte is batting, but I have been told that if I do play I will probably be down to come in about No 9."

If he is called upon to bowl, though, Grayson already has his strategy mapped out, especially if he is trusted with the final overs.

"You can afford to bowl the ball a bit slower back home because the grounds are a bit bigger. Here you have to bowl very full and very straight, and so that will be my plan.

"I have bowled at the death quite a bit before. I have bowled a lot in one-day cricket in the last 10 overs, so I know what I should be doing."