Chris Silverwood has been drafted into England's Ashes squad, as the predictable replacement for Simon Jones. Silverwood, who was selected ahead of Kent's Martin Saggers and Lancashire's James Anderson, will join the touring party in Hobart on Tuesday. "We see Chris as a like-for-like replacement for Simon Jones," said David Graveney, England's chairman of selectors. "He has genuine pace, hits the deck hard and the conditions in Australia should suit his type of bowling.

"His presence in the squad will provide real competition for places in the pace-bowling department ahead of the second Test, and he will be available to play in the three-day game against Australia A in Hobart."

Silverwood is the nearly man of English cricket. He has played only five Tests in six years since making his debut in Zimbabwe in 1996-97, but has been in numerous squads, both at home and abroad, Four of those Test appearances were in South Africa in 1999-2000 - fittingly, it was a tour he joined as a replacement, for Dean Headley - and his last contribution was to be at the crease when England clinched victory in Cronje's Match at Centurion, when South Africa and England each forfeited an innings.

"It's every cricketer's dream to play in the Ashes and I'm no exception," said Silverwood. "It's going to be hard work, but I'm looking forward to it and hopefully I can try and force my way into the Test side. I didn't have anything planned this winter so this is a nice bonus. I've been working out in the gym and swimming regularly to keep myself in shape."

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