Silverwood handed England call-up

England have unveiled Yorkshire fast bowler Chris Silverwood as the latest addition to their tour party as a permanent replacement for injury-victim Simon Jones.

Silverwood has been called up to join the squad following Jones' freak accident during the opening Test against Australia at the Gabba when he ruptured the cruciate ligaments in his right knee and now faces six months on the sidelines. The tourists' management decided against naming a replacement immediately and instead opted to assess their options for a couple of days before choosing Silverwood, whose last Test appearance was against South Africa in Centurion nearly three years ago.

Since making an impact on that tour, claiming five for 91 during England's innings and 37 runs defeat at Cape Town, Silverwood has suffered a series of injury setbacks to his career.

Only last season he was restricted to just 12 first class matches, but has now overcome the ankle injury which plagued him last season and impressed during England's progress to the final of the Hong Kong Sixes tournament recently. He will fly out to Australia on Sunday and will join up with the rest of the squad on Tuesday in Hobart, where England are due to play a three-day match against Australia A starting next Friday.

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 in Hong Kong 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."

Chairman of selectors David Graveney added: "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."