LONDON, Feb 7: All-rounder Ian Blackwell has been called into England’s squad for the upcoming tour of India after spinner Ashley Giles was ruled unfit to leave with the rest of the squad this weekend.

Giles, 32, will remain at home to continue rehabilitation work following surgery on his hip in December, although the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) are hopeful the Warwickshire spinner might be able to fly out later.

It had been hoped that Giles would be ready to play in the opening Test, which starts on March 1. But he failed to bowl in the nets on schedule and has been advised not to risk his recovery by rushing back into action prematurely.

Somerset all-rounder Blackwell replaced Giles for the one-day series in Pakistan before Christmas.

“We are disappointed to lose a player of Ashley’s calibre but we wish him well with his recovery and remain hopeful that he will be able to play some part in the tour,” said David Graveney, the chairman of the England selectors.

“Ian Blackwell is a talented player who performed well in the One-day series in Pakistan and this is a terrific opportunity for him to show that he can fulfil his potential against top class opposition.”

The ECB’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Peter Gregory, said Giles was not yet ready to resume bowling.

“The advice we received from Ashley’s specialist is that it will take time to derive full benefit from the surgery he underwent in December,” Gregory added.—AFP