The 32-year-old was named in the 12-man party for the first npower Test against South Africa which starts at Edgbaston next Thursday after convincing the selectors he can get through a five-day match.

His stunning return to the one-day international scene this summer, after 18 months of knee injury misery and three major operations, earnt him the chance to add to his 56 caps, the last of which came in the final Test of the 2001 Ashes.

But another long-term absentee, Surrey's Graham Thorpe, will have to wait a little longer to return after the four-man selection committee stuck with Yorkshire captain Anthony McGrath in the middle-order.

England coach Duncan Fletcher recently spoke to Thorpe, 34 in a fortnight, about his frame of mind following a turbulent year of personal problems which led to the left-handed batsman quitting all cricket temporarily last summer and reneging on a decision to tour Australia.

A clamour developed for Thorpe's return, but McGrath struck half-centuries in his first two Test innings against Zimbabwe and has been given a chance to continue his international development.

All-rounder Andrew Flintoff returns as expected, having missed the last eight Tests through injury, but Kent's Robert Key was left out after a poor run of form this season.

Another change from the side which completed a 2-0 series win over Zimbabwe last month is the omission of Somerset seamer Richard Johnson.

Despite taking six wickets on his debut at Chester-le-Street, Johnson's groin injury has proved cause for concern so he will be instructed to play for his county next week with Sussex's James Kirtley taking his place in the squad.

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