Silverwood and Thorpe called up for Zimbabwe ODI Series

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) today announced that the Yorkshire quick bowler, Chris Silverwood, and the Surrey batsman, Graham Thorpe, had been called up to the England One-Day Squad for the forthcoming tour of Zimbabwe.

Silverwood replaces the Leicestershire pace-bowler James Ormond who has been ruled out of the tour with tendonitis in his right knee.

Thorpe has been included after the Yorkshire all-rounder Craig White was ruled out with a twisted right knee. White sustained the injury during pre-tour preparation last week and has been advised by a specialist to rest for ten days.

Silverwood, who has been receiving treatment for a rib injury, and the Lancashire all-rounder, Andrew Flintoff, who has an injured right thumb, both came through fitness tests successfully at the weekend.

Chairman of Selectors, David Graveney, said: "While Graham Thorpe may not appear to be a 'like for like' swap for Craig White, the selectors had planned to use Craig in the top three in the batting order in Zimbabwe and felt that we needed an experienced batsman as his replacement.

"When the squad was originally announced, Graham Thorpe was not included because his hand injury was still a cause for concern. But he has now been given a clean bill of health and we are keen to take Graham to Zimbabwe as he is very much part of our plans both for this winter's One-Day series in India and New Zealand and the next World Cup.

"As we are already without our two major strike bowlers for this series as well as Craig White, we have decided to call up Chris Silverwood in order to give us the cutting edge that we will need with the ball in Zimbabwe. "

England are due to depart for Zimbabwe this Wednesday, September 26th and will play five ODIs against their hosts.