England's first medical chief staying at home

England's cricket bosses have appointed their first ever chief medical officer, but he will not be joining the injury-ridden squad in Australia.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said on Friday the job of Peter Gregory, currently working at Nottingham University, would be to provide medical support to England's centrally contracted players, as well as to the development, junior and women's teams.

An ECB spokesman confirmed Gregory would be starting work immediately but would not be travelling to Australia where England are already 1-0 down in the Test series as they struggle to cope with a continuing injury crisis.

The ECB had always planned an appointment at this time as part of a national programme due to be launched in late 2003 and it is not directly related to the present situation in Australia.

The England squad are touring there with two physios and a physiologist as their medical support.

ECB performance director Hugh Morris, welcoming Gregory's appointment, said on Friday: "Peter will be a huge asset to us.

"He will ensure that any injured England player gets the best possible medical attention and he will be on hand to guide them right through the rehabilitation process.

"The National Academy facility at Loughborough will be the base for the ECB's medical care when operational in autumn 2003, providing us with an ideal environment to be able to look after our most talented cricketers."

Since arriving in Australia, England have lost a succession of key players because of injuries.

On Tuesday it was announced that all-rounder Andrew Flintoff and left-arm spinner Ashley Giles would miss the next two Tests.

Last week fast bowler Darren Gough was finally ruled out of the entire series after failing to overcome a long-term knee injury.

Fellow paceman Simon Jones is also out for the rest of the tour after rupturing ligaments in his knee while fielding in the first Test.

On Thursday middle-order batsman John Crawley failed a last-minute fitness Test on a bruised hip and had to be replaced on the morning of the second Test.

Mail Cricket Editor