England spinner Giles passed fit for Ashes

LONDON, Oct 30 (Reuters) England spinner Ashley Giles has been passed fit to take part in the Ashes Tour of Australia which begins next month.

''It was always my goal to be fit in time for the Ashes tour and now that the moment has arrived I am really looking forward to being part of the test squad again,'' Giles said in a statement today.

The 33-year-old left-armer was an integral part of the side that won the Ashes in England last year but a series of operations on his hip forced him out of the game for 10 months.

Giles accompanied England's one-day squad to India for the Champions Trophy in order to continue his rehabilitation.

''Ashley has been through a tough time, but he worked extremely hard in India and the medical team is very pleased with the progress he has made,'' England physiotherapist Kirk Russell said.

''He bowled for extended periods in the nets, completed all the drills we set him without any reaction and is now fully fit and able to take his place in the Ashes squad.'' England failed to make it through to the semi-finals of the eight-team Champions Trophy with just one win, against West Indies in their final match.

The first of the five Ashes tests starts on November. 23 in Brisbane.

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