But there have been notable ommissions in Chris Read, after an outstanding season with Notts, and perhaps Rob Key, Ed Joyce and Owais Shah would also feel hard done by after a solid year. England have instead opted for the batting abililty of Matt Prior, who I am assuming will double as an extra batsman, and two spinners to assist Giles, on what is expected to spin-friendly wickets. Loudon has never played in English colours, and Udal has not featured in an England side since the mid 90's, though to his credit he was named by the Indians during their last tour to England as the best spinner in the country. It is certainly a big gamble, but no more so than on the last tour to Pakistan when England took a chance on Giles and Salisbury to take wickets. Methinks much like last time it wil be the pacemen with their ability to reverse swing who will make the major impact.

The only other notable inclusions have been the return of James Anderson to both English squads, and the resting of Darren Gough, which gives Liam Plunkett his first opportunity to play for England.  

Test squad: MP Vaughan (capt), ME Trescothick, AJ Strauss, IR Bell, KP Pietersen, A Flintoff, GO Jones, AF Giles, SP Jones, MJ Hoggard, SJ Harmison, PJ Collingwood, MJ Prior, CT Tremlett, JM Anderson, AGR Loudon, SD Udal.

One-day squad: Vaughan (capt), Trescothick, Strauss, Pietersen, Flintoff, G Jones (wkt), Giles, S Jones, Harmison, Collingwood, Prior, Tremlett, Anderson, VS Solanki , LE Plunkett.

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