YORKSHIRE bowler Chris Silverwood has been handed the chance to resurrect his faltering England career.

The paceman, who missed the closing weeks of last season because of a muscle injury near his rib cage, has been earmarked as a possible replacement for Leicestershire's James Ormond for England's one-day series in Zimbabwe.

He has been called by England's chairman of selectors and asked to prove his fitness before the squad sets off next week.

Silverwood's brilliant early season form saw him called up for the England squad twice for the Ashes series and would have played at Trent Bridge before being forced out by the injury.

Now the pace ace is to bowl in indoor nets to put the back injury to the test and is expected to give Graveney his fitness verdict in the next few days.

Silverwood said: "I'm just waiting to hear from England who are organising a net session and fitness test for me.

"I feel fine when I am not bowling so I just hope the last few weeks rest has done the trick and I'll be on the plane with them next week."

Silverwood's first-ever England tour was to Zimbabwe in 1996-97.

Updated: 11:36 Thursday, September 20, 2001