Three Warwickshire players have been named in England's 30-man 'provisional' squad for the ICC Champions Trophy in India this autumn.
Ian Bell, Alex Loudon and Ashley Giles are all included in the group which is likely to form the basis of the party taken to the World Cup.
While Bell and Loudon's inclusion is no surprise - Bell performed as well as most in the NatWest Series, while Loudon has been given very little opportunity so far -naming Giles is the most positive sign for some months that there is, at last, some light at the end of the tunnel for the left-arm spinner.
Giles has not played since November last year. Dogged by problems with his hip and groin, he has undergone three operations and has seen his return postponed on several occasions. There must have been times when even he wondered if he would play again.
Worcestershire players have not been so fortunate. Vikram Solanki is the only man from the county included, with Kabir Ali the one member omitted from the squad that was heavily beaten by Sri Lanka in the NatWest Series. Kabir struggled in that series. He conceded 149 runs in 16 wicketless overs and admitted that his confidence was dented as a result.
Gareth Batty, who has impressed with bat, ball and in the field of late, can also count himself unlucky; particularly as two of his rivals for the spinner's position have been unable to play for several months through injury.
Giles is not the only man in the squad who is currently sidelined. Ian Blackwell, James Anderson, Andrew Flintoff and Liam Plunkett are also included, though question marks must remain against all their names.
"The medical advice we have received is that there is a good chance that they will be available for the tournament," chairman of selectors David Graveney said. "But we will need to review their progress before the squad has to be reduced to 14 men on September 7."
There are a couple of other notable inclusions. Lancashire's 33-year-old batsman, Mal Loye, is belatedly rewarded for several years of excellent form in one-day cricket with a first call-up, while 35-year-old Darren Gough is recalled after more than a year in the shadows.
Gough's call-up, after a relentless policy of self-promotion in the media, underlines the lack of progress made by England's younger brigade of seamers. Though several fast bowlers have emerged to fill positions in the Test side, the one-day team lacks a regular new ball or 'death' bowler. Gough remains useful in both roles.
"Darren has been a regular member of the Essex side this season and worked hard to overcome the knee injury which limited his county appearances last summer," Graveney continued.
"He is performing well for Essex and I am sure he will be seeking to further impress the selectors over the next few weeks as will all the other pace bowlers in our 30."
Ravi Bopara, Stuart Broad, Graham Onions and Michael Yardy are also included for the first time.
