Six new faces in NatWest 15

England have named six players without any One Day International experience in their 15-man squad for the NatWest Challenge ODIs against Pakistan and NatWest Series against Zimbabwe and South Africa in June and July.

Alongside Robert Key and Anthony McGrath, who both featured in the comprehensive First Test victory over Zimbabwe last week, prolific Warwickshire batsman Jamie Troughton and Surrey's allegedly talented Rikki Clarke are all called up to the side, along with wicket-taking Worcestershire paceman Kabir Ali and Somerset's in-form Richard Johnson.

Stephen Harmison is a surprise inclusion in the squad after a World Cup of 12th man duties and a VB series full of wides, whilst James Kirtley can count himself unlucky to miss out. Ian Blackwell is another shock omission, and Adam Hollioake has also been left out, in a move that is sure to signal a final line drawn under his international career.

Vikram Solanki, Chris Read and Darren Gough have all been recalled to the side, Gough after having shaken off the past year's injury troubles and returned to wicket-taking form for Yorkshire. Read, despite a broken thumb, is expected to return for the matches, but James Foster is on standby should Read not be fully fit. Solanki is recalled after a brief stint in the side three years ago.

With Craig White and Paul Collingwood ruled out by injuries, the rest of the squad is made up by skipper Michael Vaughan, explosive opening batsman Marcus Trescothick, engine room bulwark Andy Flintoff, spinner Ashley Giles and paceman James Anderson - who after just five months in the International scene is suddenly down as one of the 'old hands'.

With Zimbabwe's side looking distinctly fragile, and South Africa lacking in their old fire, the NatWest series will have a long way to go to match the quality of its 2001 & 2002 incarnations. Here's hoping...

Full Squad
*Michael Vaughan
Marcus Trescothick
Robert Key
Jamie Troughton
Vikram Solanki
Andrew Flintoff
Anthony McGrath
Rikki Clarke
+Chris Read
Ashley Giles
Richard Johnson
Darren Gough
Kabir Ali
Stephen Harmison
James Anderson


Posted by Neil