Irani was called up for the first time since facing New Zealand three years ago in an attempt to plug the gap created by Andrew Flintoff's recent hernia surgery.

His selection was all the more surprising because he only made his comeback from a knee operation on Sunday.

But Irani is confident he will be able to withstand the rigours of a Test match if he replaces Flintoff.

"It's quite remarkable that only 13 days after the operation I'm batting and bowling and it felt fine," said Irani.

"I'm confident of getting through five days of a Test match if I'm selected. Sunday was a good test for me in a one-day game with plenty of pressure against my old county and I came through that quite well."

England's other two injury doubts are poised for similar fitness tests with Dominic Cork expected to play for Derbyshire against Surrey while Marcus Trescothick is lined up to feature for Somerset at Durham.