Batty in England call-up

England today called Worcestershire's Gareth Batty into their one-day squad as cover for the injured Ashley Giles.

Giles has been troubled this season by a hip injury which counted him out of the recent two-Test series against Bangladesh, and he is not expected to be match fit until late June or early July.

There seems little prospect of Giles featuring in the NatWest Series which features England, Bangladesh and Australia, and begins on Thursday week - June 16.

Batty stood in for Giles in the Bangladesh Tests, and should spin be required in the one-day games he is now at the front of the queue.

He could also play in next Monday's NatWest Twenty20 International against the Australians, England's first meeting with Ricky Ponting's side this Ashes summer.

Dr Peter Gregory, the England and Wales Cricket Board's chief medical officer, remarked that Giles was still some way off recovering full fitness.

"Ashley's injury is responding to treatment and we are pleased with the progress he is making," said Dr Gregory.

"He will need to continue strengthening work and cricket-specific training at a local level.

"We have not yet specified a date for his return to competitive cricket, but at this stage we anticipate that he will be available to Warwickshire within the next two weeks and we will be monitoring his progress closely."

England look set to insist on Giles completing a county match without any hiccups before bringing him back into the international fold, suggesting that the NatWest Challenge against Australia next month, beginning on July 7 at Headingley, could mark his return.

Batty is currently playing for Worcestershire in their Frizzell County Championship Division Two match against Somerset.

He has been given permission to continue in that match until the close of play tomorrow, the second day, and will then be pulled out of the game and travel to Southampton, where England play Hampshire in a warm-up game on Saturday.

Worcestershire will be allowed to substitute Batty with a player of their choice.