Giles to miss start of the season with Achilles problem

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) today announced that the Warwickshire spinner Ashley Giles requires up to six weeks rest from cricket in order to recover from an Achilles injury. Giles will miss the early part of the season with Warwickshire including the group stages of the Benson and Hedges Cup.

Giles is one of 12 players to be awarded six-month contracts for this summer's npower Test series against Pakistan and Australia and it is anticipated that he will be available for selection for the First npower Test Match against Pakistan (May 17-21).

England physiotherapist, Dean Conway, said: "Ashley will undergo strengthening work on his left Achilles over the next six weeks in order to prepare him for the demands of this summer's international programme.

"Ashley's injury is not an acute one and he was able to play a full part in England's success this winter. But he is suffering from general 'wear and tear' to his Achilles and needs a period of rest in the interests of protecting his long-term fitness."