Shahzad replaces injured Sidebottom in England v Australia squad

15/06/2010

Ajmal Shahzad has been handed an opportunity to play in front of fans with England v AustraliaODI tickets after Ryan Sidebottom picked up a hamstring injury.

The Yorkshire all-rounder made his Test match debut earlier this month after being selected ahead of Sidebottom and has now been drafted into the squad for the five-match series against the Aussies as a replacement for the left-armer.

Geoff Miller, the national selector, said it is "a shame" that Sidebottom has picked up the knock but expressed confidence in Shahzad's ability to perform in front of fans with ODI tickets.

"Ajmal Shahzad is a strong addition to the squad and he'll no doubt be looking to build on his maiden ODI appearance for England in Bangladesh over the winter," Miller commented.

The 24-year-old took the wicket of dangerous opening batsman Tamim Iqbal during his ODI debut and finished with figures of one for 55 from nine overs.

England's first match of the series against Australia will take place at the Rose Bowl on June 22nd 2010.

Posted by Ted Walker