15/09/2005 20:23

Ashley Fraser Giles was born at St Peter's Hospital, Chertsey in Surrey on 19th March 1973. He spent his early years in Woking and attended Kingfield First and Middle Schools. Ashley benefited here from a sports teacher with a keen interest in Cricket and through this Ashley would become involved in District and County cricket from Under 9 level. His parents later moved back to their home village of Ripley and Ashley attended George Abbott Secondary School in Guildford where he went on to complete his GCSEs and A levels.

The Giles family would spend many hours during the summer at Ripley Cricket Club with Ashley's Father, brother Andrew and Uncles and Cousins all representing the club. Previously his Grandfather Giles and Grandfather Shoesmith also played for Ripley so cricket really was in the blood. It is at Ripley that Ashley would have his first taste of club cricket for the colts team and he moved on to open the bowling for the Saturday 2nd XI. On a few occasions his partner in the attack was the Sussex opening batsman and very close friend Ian Ward. At this time both were aspiring fast bowlers and formed a deadly duo for Surrey at Under 9 level. In order to advance his cricket Ashley moved to Guildford Cricket Club the home of a number of other County players including Darren and Martin Bicknell. Here he benefited from the coaching of Brian Ruby.

Ashley continued to represent Surrey through the various age groups and toured Barbados with the Surrey Young Cricketers in 1990-91.He also played 2nd XI cricket for Surrey and was the Surrey Young Cricketer of the year in 1991.Injury would see Ashley try his hand at spin for Guildford and he quickly found some success with this. Disappointment followed with news that Surrey were unable to offer Ashley a Contract and with the assistance of his family he approached other counties in search of trials.

After an initial trial at Warwickshire Ashley impressed Dennis Amiss and was rewarded with a one year contract at Edgbaston. He spent two seasons in the 2nd XI before making his county debut against Kent at Canterbury in 1993.

Ashley spent the winter months playing club cricket in South Africa for Vredenberg & Saldanha (92-95) and Avendale (95-96). In 1996 Ashley was the Warwickshire Player of the year and in 1998 he made his Test Debut against South Africa at Old Trafford.