Thorpe, Silverwood earn last-minute call-ups

Pace bowler Chris Silverwood and batsman Graham Thorpe won last-minute call-ups on Monday to the England one-day squad for the tour of Zimbabwe.

Silverwood replaces James Ormond, who has tendinitis in his right knee, and Thorpe -- originally left out of the squad because of a hand injury -- is in for all-rounder Craig White, who is ruled out with a twisted right knee.

The party leaves on Wednesday to play five one-day internationals in Zimbabwe.

"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," chairman of selectors David Graveney said.

"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."

Thorpe averages 39.60 with the bat in 68 one-dayers, while Silverwood has taken just three wickets in six.

Thorpe, Silverwood -- who has had a rib injury -- and all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, who has an injured right thumb, all came through fitness tests at the weekend.

Pacemen Andy Caddick and Darren Gough have been omitted from the tour of Zimbabwe, although Caddick has been included for the test tours of India and New Zealand later in the northern winter.

Mail Cricket Editor