Ian Blackwell is shaping up as Ashley Giles' Test replacement in India after convincing the management he is looking after himself.

Criticised in the past for his weight and general fitness, Somerset's Blackwell, 27, came back to favour with England at the start of the winter and appears a decent bet for a debut in Nagpur a fortnight today.

Volume of runs as much as his 28 first-class wickets last summer earned a pre-Christmas trip to Pakistan, where an improved general attitude to diet and decent on-field displays led to the selectors putting him on standby for fellow left-arm spinner Giles on this tour.

His heavy-set frame makes him stand out in international cricket as much as his big hitting does on the county circuit but he appears to be trimming down following his promotion to the Somerset captaincy.

The transformation also coincides with regular consultation with England physiologist Nigel Stockill and newly-appointed nutritionist Fred Wadsworth.

''Certain things are in place now and I have got to keep my discipline of the last few months both here and back in the UK,'' said Blackwell. ''It is about understanding foods and what to eat at what times.

''It can be quite tedious and boring but it is something you have to do to let your body utilise the stuff you put in to its best ability: it was enlightening my mind.

''I feel I am strong as a person and physically fit to do my job but if you don't look right in today's game you don't tend to get too far, you have to look to be at your physical peak.

''That is something the Australians set on about four or five years ago and everyone is following suit.

''It is something England are keen to achieve and looking at the majority of the squad they are actually there.''

Somerset's former coach Kevin Shine, most recently academy director at Taunton, has been revealed as Troy Cooley's successor as bowling coach.

Shine, 36, officially starts on March 13 with Cooley due to finish his commitments at the end of this tour and head off to take up the same position with his native Australia.