KENT'S Martin Saggers is flying back from South Africa after winning a shock call up for England's tour of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

The ex-Durham seamer believed Test chances had passed him by after being overlooked for this summer's home series against Zimbabwe and South Africa, only to be given an 11th hour opportunity after Andrew Flintoff's withdrawal.

The Lancashire all-rounder has failed a pre-tour fitness test with a groin injury, leaving England's selectors with little option but to call Saggers.

It is a move reminiscent of Alan Igglesden's shock call to arms for the final Test of England's disastrous Ashes series in 1989. Igglesden was reportedly 11th in line for a call-up.

Though Saggers has bagged 262 first-class wickets in the last four seasons for Kent, England have cited age, he turns 32 in May, and a lack of genuine pace for continually leaving him out of their international equation.

However, injuries to Alex Tudor, Andrew Caddick, Simon Jones, James Kirtley and now Flintoff, have opened a door Saggers had every reason to believe had been shut in his face.

Speaking from Johannesburg Saggers said: "I got a call from David Graveney asking where I was and what my availability was because they had doubts over 'Freddy' Flintoff.

"I said I could fly back immediately if needs be, and within half-an-hour, he called back to say I was on the tour.

"I was a bit stunned but delighted that after four years of really hard work I'd been given the chance I'd been yearning for.

"I never stop trying, that's always been my motto in cricket, so I'll go on this tour with every intention of giving it my best in the hope England will have to pick me for a Test.

"I had almost given up hope of playing for England, but I began to hold out some hope again when they picked Martin Bicknell the fifth Test against South Africa this summer.

"Martin's that bit older than me and, although I'd been overlooked, in other ways it meant my chances hadn't gone for good."

Saggers should continue to clock up even more air-miles on Wednesday when, visa permitting, he will fly from Heathrow to Bangladesh alongside Richard Johnson, England's other late selection for the two-Test series in Bangladesh.

It is all a far cry from the South African holiday the Norfolk-born swing bowler had initially planned.

"I'd come over to South Africa to start organising my wedding next February, enjoy a little R and R and go on a photo safari with Kent groundsman Anthony Roberts," added Saggers.

"That's all gone on the back-burner for now and we'll have to start organising the wedding after Christmas now. I was a bit shocked to say the least, but I called my fiancée Sam Byrne to tell her the news, phoned my parents and then set about organising my flight back."