Alex Wharf called up by England

The Glamorgan allrounder, Alex Wharf, has been drafted into England's squad for next week's NatWest Challenge, as a replacement for Kabir Ali, who has developed a stomach injury. Wharf had been placed on standby after Kabir was forced to withdraw from Saturday's C&G Trophy final between Worcestershire and Gloucestershire, and now has an opportunity to stake his claim for a place in the Champions Trophy.

"I was ecstatic when David Graveney gave me the news," said Wharf. "We have a great one-day side at Glamorgan and have become very tough to beat. Glamorgan have given me opportunities and I like to think that has helped bring out the best in me as a cricketer."

Last week, Glamorgan claimed their third National League title, with three games to spare, and Wharf's performances were a key part of their success. He picked up 20 wickets at 22.85, including a hat-trick against Warwickshire, and also clubbed 226 runs at 22.60, with a highest score of 72. He joined Glamorgan four years ago, after previous spells with Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire.

It was a huge disappointment for Kabir, however. He had been widely tipped for a place in the England Test squad to tour South Africa this winter, but missed out to the Durham allrounder, Paul Collingwood, and has yet to play a role in a one-day international for England. He made his one-day debut against Zimbabwe in 2003, but the match was rained off before he could take the field.

David Graveney, England's chairman of selectors, felt it was unlikely that Kabir would be back in time for the Champions Trophy. "The medical advice we have received makes his participation in extremely doubtful," he admitted. "Alex Wharf has been called up to replace him and we will review the situation after The NatWest Challenge."

England, whose one-day form has been woeful this year, will meet up at Trent Bridge on Monday, to prepare for the first of three one-day internationals against India. They then take part in the curtain-raiser of the Champions Trophy, against Zimbabwe on September 10, before taking on Sri Lanka in their second match at the Rose Bowl in Southampton a week later.