England's hopes of a series win in the West Indies for the first time in 30 years received a setback when their leading strike bowler Darren Gough was ruled out of next month's tour.

Gough was England's most successful bowler in 1997. In the opening three Tests against Australia, he took 16 wickets.

The BBC's cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew reports, followed by reaction from Chris Silverwood (Dur: 1-09")

But he was sidelined for the rest of the series with an inflamed left knee.

He attempted a comeback in the final championship match of the season against Kent but ended it by limping off with a hamstring strain.

He is being replaced by his Yorkshire team mate Chris Silverwood who toured Zimbabwe and New Zealand this year but was not required for the Ashes series.

"It's a disappointment but Chris is more than an adequate replacement," said England chairman of selectors David Graveney.

"If he bowls at about 75% it doesn't appear to hurt him but if he raises a gear then he feels the pain behind his right knee."

Silverwood is presently in Nairobi on tour with the England A team.

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