Giles plots course for England return

Ashley Giles will step up his fitness bid ahead of the the Ashes series by turning out for Warwickshire's second XI.

The left-arm spinner is battling to overcome a hip problem which kept him out of England's resounding triumphs over Bangladesh in the opening two Tests of the summer.

Giles has been an influential figure for England in the past 18 months during their emergence as a major force in Test cricket.

A cortisone injection failed to help Giles but now he will hope to show he is making good progress towards being fit for the five Tests against Australia by playing against Glamorgan in the Second Eleven Trophy at Neath.

And if he comes through that game Giles is targeting another appearance for the Bears in Sunday's National League meeting with Leicestershire at Edgbaston.

Giles said: "The plan is to play for Warwickshire seconds at Neath and we'll then look and see how things are.

"If it goes well the plan is for me to play in the one-day game against Leicestershire on Sunday."

England need 32-year-old Giles to be fit and firing on all cylinders against Ricky Ponting's side and he had begun the season with 24 championship wickets.

His comeback comes only days after former Australia paceman Terry Alderman launched a stinging attack on Giles and described him as the weak link in England's attack.