England has suffered another off-field blow in its Ashes tour, with spinner Ashley Giles forced home to attend to his sick wife.
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A spokesman for England said Giles' wife, Stine, was suffering from a 'potentially serious illness', and confirmed the 33-year-old left-armer had caught a plane home on Friday night to be his wife's side.
Giles struggled in the first two Tests in the 3 mobile Ashes series, managing just three wickets before being replaced by Monty Panesar for the third Test at the WACA Ground.
England coach Duncan Fletcher admitted it was a blow to lose Giles on the tour, and expressed his admiration for the way Giles had fought his way back into England's squad after a persistent hip injury kept him out of the game for the best part of 2006.
"It's very difficult for the man, having had that operation," Fletcher said.
"Especially knowing the man, he's a real professional cricketer. I've been involved with England for seven years and I rate him probably the most professional cricketer I've dealt with in England."
"He really wanted to play for England and he was upset when he wasn't, and to come back and take the flak he did and then suddenly this news comes along, it must be very hard for the man. He handled it very, very well."
Jamie Dalrymple, who is in Australia with the England Academy squad, will replace Giles.
