The England selectors have added Worcestershire off-spinner Gareth Batty to their squad for the 1st Test against Bangladesh on Thursday, as cover for injury-doubt Ashley Giles.

Batty has five Test caps to his name and toured South Africa with England over the winter, though his Test record of 10 wickets at 69 apiece is unlikely to frighten even Bangladesh's callow batsmen.

Left-armer Giles was troubled by a hip problem during a championship game at Hove two weeks ago, which restricted him to 11 overs in the match, and the problem has flared up again.

Chairman of selectors, David Graveney, said: "Ashley's fitness will be re-assessed by the England medical team tomorrow [Tuesday] and Gareth has been added as a precautionary measure."

England will be eager for Giles to play as he has enjoyed a marvellous 12 months in Tests and has had a sparkling start to the season, with 24 wickets at 18 apiece in the county championship.

Instead of replacing like for like, England might opt for a four-man pace attack, giving them the opportunity to blood Gloucestershire seamer Jon Lewis before the Ashes, and reduce the workload on allrounder Andrew Flintoff, who is still recovering from injury.

23 May, 2005