Date:21/09/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/09/21/stories/2006092107731900.htm

Sport - Cricket

England keeps faith in injured cricketers

London : England captain Michael Vaughan was among a trio of injured players awarded a new England and Wales Cricket Board contract on Wednesday despite missing the whole of 2006 through injury.

The man who led England to Ashes victory last summer was named among the expanded list of 13 players awarded contracts for the next year.

Fast bowler Simon Jones and left-arm spinner Ashley Giles both retain their contracts, despite having suffered injuries this year.

Giles is recovering from a hip and groin problem, while Vaughan and Jones have both had knee operations.

Giles has been named in the England squad hoping to keep the Ashes in Australia this winter; Vaughan is hoping to be fit in time for the VB Series of one-day internationals, starting in January — and Jones will not be back until next season.