Ankle injury rules Silverwood out of Test

England fast bowler Chris Silverwood has been ruled out of the remainder of the third Ashes Test against Australia because of an ankle injury.

England physiotherapist Kirk Russell said in a statement that Silverwood, who was taken to a Perth hospital on Friday for MRI scans, had torn the ligaments in his ankle while fielding on Friday.

"He has a tear on the medial aspect of his left ankle and there are also signs of bony bruising on the other side of the ankle as a direct result of this tear," Russell said.

"Chris will definitely not bowl again in this Test match and no decision has yet been made by the England team management as to whether he will stay with the tour party."

Silverwood, 27, was only called into the squad after Simon Jones ruptured his knee in Brisbane and Darren Gough was sent home injured.

The Yorkshire paceman had not played a single match before being called up to make his first Test appearance since playing the South Africans in 2000.

"To say I'm frustrated is a massive understatement. I've waited a long time to get back into the test side and really wanted to make an impact in this game," Silverwood said.

"I just felt something go in the ankle on impact in the second ball of my second over. I decided to stay on but the pain just got worse."

Silverwood's unavailability is a further blow to England's chances of winning the match and saving the series.

The tourists have been plagued by injuries since arriving in Australia in October and need to win in Perth to keep the series alive after losing the first two matches.

At least nine players have been injured on tour so far.

Apart from Gough and Jones, left-arm spinner Ashley Giles was also sent home after breaking his wrist in practice and Andy Caddick and John Crawley were ruled out of the third Test with injuries.

Silverwood opened the bowling for England on Friday and was instrumental in running out Australian opener Justin Langer with a fine throw from the fine leg boundary.

Mail Cricket Editor