Ashley Giles is still not fully recovered from his Achilles injury – but remains hopeful that he can fulfil a childhood dream and play his part in an Ashes series.

At least the Warwickshire slow left-arm bowler is now back in the middle and getting some overs under his belt.

And this is a huge relief to Giles, awarded a central contract by the ECB, who makes no attempt to hide that fact that he hates being on the sidelines.

Giles made his comeback against Oxford University with a first innings return of five for 46 and also played in the National League encounter with Northamptonshire.

Giles told PA Sport: "It's so nice to be playing again. It's been a long and frustrating break for me and great to bowl a few overs in the middle.

"It's frustrating watching our boys at Warwickshire and England play, particularly when your side lose, and you feel you might be able to play a part in it.

"I'm not a great watcher of cricket. I'll pop down to the ground for a while and then disappear again pretty quickly. Now it's good to be around the game again.

"It's been a patience thing for me. I've been working in the gym on strengthening work, then icing it, resting, stretching and working with the physio. Hopefully all that will keep me on the field.

"I'm not 100% fit. I still get some pain and stiffness and my body is going to take some wear and tear from playing again so it's important I'm careful.

"But I am better than I was in Sri Lanka and I've just got to maintain or progress on the state I'm in at the moment.

"The timetable is to play as much cricket as I can before the First Test and then it's down to England to decide whether I am fit enough or in good enough form.

"I feel that I am bowling pretty well. I'm confident and I have slipped into a pretty good rhythm already.

"If they want me for the first Test, then I'll be there. Obviously it's a different world to bowling at Oxford University and the Australian Test side.

"But in my head I'll be confident enough to do a job although it would be nice to get some more overs under my belt in the couple of weeks.

"The Ashes is the Ashes. It's as simple as that. It is a childhood dream to play in those matches and I'd love to be part of a winning team against Australia.

"I think this year we've got as good a chance as we've had for a long time to win the Ashes."

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