DROITWICH Spa resident Ashley Giles is set to square up to the best cricket team in the world this week, as England look to make a strong start to the Ashes series.
Warwickshire spinner Giles has been selected for the 12-man squad, which plays Australia the first test at Lord's tomorrow (Thursday).
Giles will be joined by county teammate Ian Bell at the home of cricket.
Big hitting batsman Kevin Pietersen also won selection into the squad instead of England stalwart Graham Thorpe.
Giles will be eager to take on the Australians after they beat England in the Natwest one-day series last week.
The spinner returned from a lengthy injury absence at Lord's, taking 1-38, as England lost by seven wickets.
In the final one-day match at the Oval, Giles took 1-68 as Australia defeated England by eight wickets
England go into the five test series as the outsiders to win back the Ashes from the Australians.
The national side has not won the Ashes since 1987 and while Australia has become the unstoppable force in cricket, England have struggled for form.
However, victories over Australia in three one-day internationals and heartening performances by bowler Steve Harmison, Pietersen and Marcus Trescothick have given England hope.
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