James Kirtley has been named as Darren Gough's replacement for the ICC Trophy in Sri Lanka in September. Kirtley was part of England's squad for the NatWest Series until he broke his hand in the nets, but has now a chance to resurrect his England career following Gough's persistent knee injury.

"James was unfortunate to miss out on the remainder of the NatWest Series," said David Graveney, England's chairman of selectors. "But he now has a further opportunity to press his claims for a regular place in the squad ahead of the one-day series in Australia and the World Cup.

"James has good pace, can bowl well at the death in one-day cricket and is an excellent all-round fielder. We feel that he can only improve still further by going to Sri Lanka and gaining experience of conditions on the sub-continent."

Kirtley has played seven one-day internationals, having made his debut in Zimbabwe last winter. His record to date - six wickets at an average of 50 - is decidedly modest, but he has shown a slingy ability to find the right length at the end of a one-day innings, a quality that makes him an appropriate replacement for Gough.

The controversy over Kirtley's action – he was referred by the match referee Colonel Naushad Ali during that Zimbabwe tour – may resurface however. The ICC Trophy is in Sri Lanka, and the brouhaha over Ruchira Perera's action at Lord's in May may prompt some local journalists to look for revenge. If so, Kirtley is the easiest target.

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