England Confirm Opening Ashes Squad

There is little surprise in England's squad for the opening test match with Australia at Trent Bridge, aside from the fact they have gone with a thirteen man unit, that includes Graham Onions, and Graeme Swann as the only spin option.

With the weather set to be hot for the entire test match in Nottingham, there may have been the option of a second spinner, but with Joe Root taking four wickets in the warm up game with Essex, he will probably provide back up to Swann if required.

As expected, Nick Compton has been dropped from the side that took on New Zealand last time out, with Root set to open alongside skipper Alastair Cook.

It will be a straight choice between Steven Finn and Tim Bresnan as third seamer behind James Anderson and Staurt Broad, who is fully recovered from a shoulder injury, however he did need an injection at the weekend to get through a spell of fitness training ahead of the game.

England squad: Alastair Cook (Essex, capt), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Jonathan Trott (Warwickshire), Kevin Pietersen (Surrey), Ian Bell (Warwickshire), Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire), Matt Prior (Sussex, wkt), Tim Bresnan (Yorkshire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Graeme Swann (Nottinghamshire), Steve Finn (Middlesex), James Anderson (Lancashire), Graham Onions (Durham).