England selectors name a 14-man squad for 4th npower Test againt Australia

ENGLAND today announced a 14-man squad for the 4th npower Ashes Test against Australia at Leeds starting on Friday.

The squad includes the eleven players who featured in the drawn 3rd Test at Edgbaston together with pace bowlers Stephen Harmison and Ryan Sidebottom, and the uncapped Warwickshire batsman Jonathan Trott (pictured).

ECB National Selector, Geoff Miller, said: “In choosing our squad for this Test Match, we decided to omit a second spinner as Headingley is not usually a ground where two spinners are required and therefore Monty Panesar misses out on selection this time.

“We will need to carefully assess the pitch and the overhead conditions at Headingley before finalising our eleven for this Test and the inclusion of Stephen Harmison and Ryan Sidebottom will give us different types of pace bowling options.

“Both players have been in good form for their Counties in recent weeks and as selectors we are delighted that competition for places in the side is so strong.

“Jonathan Trott has also performed really well for Warwickshire this season and his place in the squad is fully deserved. His inclusion will provide us with the option of playing six batsmen if we feel this is appropriate.

“We will continue to closely monitor Andrew Flintoff“s fitness in the build-up-up to Headingley. His right knee will be reassessed by our medical staff over the next forty-eight hours and no final decision on his availability will be taken until closer to the start of the Test Match.”

The full squad is:
Andrew Strauss (capt) – Middlesex
James Anderson – Lancashire
Ian Bell – Warwickshire
Ravi Bopara – Essex
Stuart Broad – Nottinghamshire
Paul Collingwood – Durham
Alastair Cook – Essex
Andrew Flintoff – Lancashire
Stephen Harmison – Durham
Graham Onions – Durham
Matt Prior – Sussex
Ryan Sidebottom – Nottinghamshire
Graeme Swann – Nottinghamshire
Jonathan Trott – Warwickshire

Picture: Getty Images