DROITWICH-based England cricketer Ashley Giles has spoken of his decision to fly back from the Ashes tour in Australia to be with his wife, who has been diagnosed with a brain tumour.

Cricket is now "unimportant", said the bowler, who has returned to his family home in the town to be with Stine.

The Warwickshire left-arm spinner - a hero in last year's Ashes defeat of the Aussies - has arrived back in Britain with two tests still to play. He said: "Cricket is unimportant compared with family issues and my wife needs me to be here right now, and she's facing tough times ahead.

"It's important I'm here to get her through it."

Giles, who was dropped for the third of the five-test series, will be replaced in England's squad by Middlesex off-spinner Jamie Dalrymple. England head coach Duncan Fletcher said: "This is very distressing news for Ashley, and the thoughts of all the players and management are with him and Stine at such a difficult time."

Giles and his wife have two young children, Anders and Matilde. He was made an honorary citizen of Droitwich in 2005 for his role in helping England win the Ashes that year.

Droitwich Spa Cricket Club committee member Adrian Field said Giles had once held an impromptu coaching session for the team's youngsters.

He added: "He has been good at supporting us and we all wish his wife a speedy recovery. Our thoughts are with his family."

Commenting on Giles' reason for returning home, Colin Povey, chief executive of Warwickshire County Cricket Club, said: "This is very sad news. The thoughts of all the Warwickshire players and staff are with Ashley and his family."