Afzaal set to make England debut

Nottinghamshire batsman Usman Afzaal is likely to make his England debut in the first Ashes test against Australia, chairman of selectors David Graveney said on Tuesday.

"Afzaal has been in the frame for a long time. He is a fighter," Graveney told BBC Radio.

"He is probably more likely to play. It's more likely we will play with seven batsmen, so he will play."

The 23-year-old Pakistani-born batsman was brought into the squad after injury forced out Michael Vaughan.

Graveney added that Mark Butcher, the left-handed Surrey opener who last played for England in January 2000, would bat at number three.

"We have gone for Mark Butcher to bat at three. He has done well against Australia and particularly well at Edgbaston. He is also in good form."

Afzaal, Butcher and off-spinner Robert Croft were drafted into the England squad earlier on Tuesday as cover for injury victims Graham Thorpe, Mark Ramprakash and Vaughan.

Vaughan became the latest withdrawal on Tuesday with a knee injury.

England still have a fitness worry over left-arm spinner Ashley Giles, who has been struggling with a bout of tonsilitis.

The first match in the five-test Ashes series begins at Edgbaston, Birmingham, on Thursday.

Mail Cricket Editor