No Call Again For Thorpe

The Surrey left-hander had hoped for a call-up but the selectors have turned instead to in-form Kent batsman Ed Smith due to Thorpe's back spasms.

Smith replaces Anthony McGrath, who struggled against the Proteas after a promising start to his Test career against Zimbabwe.

After Darren Gough's retirement and England's shocking bowling display in the opening two Tests, Lancashire paceman Glen Chapple and Worcestershire spinner Gareth Batty have been drafted in to a 13-man squad.

Chapple has taken a mere 27 wickets at 37 this season yet averages over 45 with the bat while Batty has picked up 31 at 25.87 and should put pressure on Ashley Giles.

Chapple will battle it out with Steve Harmison and James Kirtley for the two available spots assuming James Anderson is retained after his erratic performances of late.

Commenting on the squad, selector Geoff Miller said: "We were looking for continuity as much as possible, and even though we didn' perform well in the first two Tests, the players we picked we naturally feel are the best to play for England.

"Ed Smith is in prime form and fully deserves his chance having hit six centuries for Kent this year.

"He will play in place of Anthony McGrath who did very well against Zimbabwe but struggled a bit with his form against South Africa.

"He has been an excellent team man and hopefully he will resurrect his form in county cricket - he is certainly not out of our thoughts for future England team selections.

"And finally we have picked Gareth Batty and Glen Chapple as extra spin and quick bowling options, both of whom have performed well this season for their respective counties."

Squad: Vaughan (capt) (Yorkshire), Anderson (Lancashire), Batty (Worcestershire), Butcher (Surrey), Chapple (Lancashire), Flintoff (Lancashire), Giles (Warwickshire), Harmison (Durham), Hussain (Essex), Kirtley (Sussex), Smith (Kent), Stewart (Surrey), Trescothick (Somerset).

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