Shahzad gets England call for Australia series

London:

Yorkshire pace bowler Ajmal Shahzad was added to England's squad for their One-Day International series against Australia on Tuesday after Ryan Sidebottom suffered a hamstring injury.

World Twenty20 winning left-arm quick Sidebottom, who will remain with the England squad to undergo further assessment and rehabilitation, sustained a grade one strain to his left hamstring during Nottinghamshire's six-wicket win over Worcestershire on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the 24-year-old Shahzad, who took four wickets on his Test debut earlier this month against Bangladesh at Old Trafford, will join the one-day squad later on Tuesday at the National Cricket Performance Centre in Loughborough, central England.

"It's a shame Ryan has picked up this injury as he's been injury-free for some time now and bowling well," said England national selector, Geoff Miller.

"Thankfully it's a relatively minor injury and we look forward to him making a full recovery soon," the former England off-spinner added.

Shahzad took one wicket for 55 runs on his One-Day International debut in Chittagong in March and Miller said:

"Ajmal Shahzad is a strong addition to the squad and he'll no doubt be looking to build on his maiden ODI appearance for England in Bangladesh over the winter."

England play Scotland in Edinburgh on Saturday before facing Australia, the team they defeated in last month's World Twenty20 final in Barbados, in the first of five One-Day Internationals at Hampshire's Rose Bowl on June 22.