Plunkett called up to England Test squad

Durham's young fast bowler, Liam Plunkett, has been drafted into England's Test squad for next month's tour of Pakistan, as a replacement for the injured Simon Jones.

Plunkett, 20, had already been picked for the one-day leg of the tour, but earned a further promotion when it was decided that Jones would need surgery on the ankle injury that he sustained during the fourth Test against Australia at Trent Bridge.

"Liam is a young player who has done very well for Durham this year, both in the longer and shorter form of the game," said David Graveney, England's chairman of selectors. "This is an excellent opportunity and, along with his selection in the one-day squad, underlines his ongoing potential."

Plunkett, who took 51 wickets at 30.84 to help Durham earn promotion to Division One of the County Championship, also chipped in with his highest first-class score of 74 not out, to underline his growing potential as a cricketer. "I've tried to perform well this year and to now be in the England Test squad is fantastic," he told the ECB website. "I'm over the moon.

"Just to be a part of the Test squad is massive for me, even if I don't get to play in a Test match while I'm in Pakistan, I'll learn so much from being around such a quality group of players."

Plunkett could find himself in the reckoning for a Test debut if one or two leading players fall by the wayside, especially seeing as Chris Tremlett, England's understudy during the Ashes, is continuing to struggle with a knee injury. His fitness will continue to be assessed at the ECB's national cricket centre in Loughborough before a decision is made later in the week.