Giles progressing from injury

Warwickshire star Ashley Giles is recovering from a hip operation

England spinner Ashley Giles is making good progress as he recovers from his recent hip operation and is confident that he is still on course to be fit for the tour of India next year.

The Warwickshire left-armer was forced to miss the third Test in Pakistan as well as the entire limited-overs series in order to return home for surgery on the injury which plagued him throughout 2005.

The operation appears to have been a success and Giles is now looking to return to full fitness before England fly out for their next trip to the sub-Continent in mid-February.

Giles told ecb.co.uk: “It’s going alright, I’m walking normally now and not limping. There were no horrors in there apparently so it’s looking pretty good.

England are going to face a tough test when they tour India next year © Getty Images

“It was always going to be quite tight for India so hopefully we’re on course. I see my specialist again in January so we’ll have a better idea then.”

Although conditions did not suit the finger spinners during the first two Tests in Pakistan, Giles was missed during the one-dayers as England suffered a 3-2 series defeat.

Watching the matches on television was not a pleasant experience for Giles as his team-mates struggled, but he accepts that injuries are part and parcel of sport.

“It’s always frustrating when the guys are obviously going through the mill and working hard and you’re sat on your backside,” he said.

“It looked very hard work out there so it was frustrating but injuries come along and you just have to deal with them and get over them as quick as you can.

England captain Michael Vaughan also suffered injury in Pakistan © Getty Images

“We suffered a couple of injuries during the Test series in Pakistan with me and Vaughany and you want to keep players fit for as long as you can, but when you play almost 10 months a year then injuries don’t always come along at ideal times.

“We’ve got some depth there though and it’s given players like Liam Plunkett a chance to show what he’s about and he’s done really well. He’s taken the opportunity and certainly we’ve got some good players as back-up.”

Despite the frustrating end to the year, 2005 has proved to be memorable for all the England players who helped reclaim the Ashes during the summer.

The 2-1 series victory saw cricket hit the front and back pages of the newspapers like never before as fans endured a rollercoaster of emotions before the thrilling draw at The Oval saw England get their hands on the famous urn.

Giles believes the likes of Kevin Pietersen are currently raising the profile of English cricket © Getty Images

Giles reflected: “This time last year we were in South Africa.

"Of course we’re disappointed to have lost in Pakistan but if people had told us we would win the Ashes - and play the series we had and all that’s gone with it and the way that cricket has risen as a sport in this country - then nobody would have believed them. Thankfully that’s what happened.”

The England squad have since enjoyed a far higher profile and Giles hopes their achievements will help to inspire the next generation of England stars.

“Certainly if we’re raising the profile of cricket and raising the profile of our players then more people will want to play because they see guys like Freddie and KP on the telly and want to emulate them, which has got to be good for the game,” he commented.

In 2006 Giles faces another hectic schedule as he combines playing for England with his benefit year at Warwickshire.

He said: “It’s going to be very busy next year and we’re busy already on the benefit. I’ve got a good team behind me as well as the team I play with so hopefully on and off the pitch it will be another very good year.”