Somerset batsman James Hildreth has not ruled out the possibility of a call-up into the full England tour party for this winter's Ashes series.

The 26-year-old will be in Australia as part of the performance squad but admits to having greater aspirations.

"You obviously do think about it," Hildreth told BBC Points West. "That's what you dream of.

"You always want to play for your country and you take the opportunity when it presents itself."

Hildreth continued: "We've got a few games we're going to be playing out there and the most important thing is I just score runs in those games."

The Millfield-educated batsman had no real international expectations at the beginning of the summer.

Championship runs are probably the most important for me James Hildreth

But a hugely successful season, in which he amassed almost 2500 runs in all competitions and was the second-highest Division One scorer, hitting seven centuries, has made the England selectors sit up and take notice.

"Championship runs are probably the most important runs for me and the ones I enjoy getting the most," said Hildreth.

"Not only did I want to score more consistently but also the majority of my runs away from home so it was pleasing to do that.

"To get the recognition and get into the England Performance Programme set-up is brilliant and I want to use that to progress further.

"It means a huge amount to me and another stepping stone to overcome to get to where I want to get to."

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