The 23-year-old has been called up to replace Graham Thorpe, who is taking a complete break from cricket following England's 170-run opening Test victory.

Key is as one of three changes to that winning squad at Lord's.

He will open the innings alongside Michael Vaughan to allow Mark Butcher to revert to his favoured number three position.

Chairman of selectors David Graveney admitted: "Robert's been in outstanding form for Kent and his career has really kicked on this season after he attended the National Academy in Australia last winter."

Surrey seamer Alex Tudor is also recalled, despite not having played a first class match since suffering shin splints during the NatWest Triangular Series and replaces Glamorgan's Simon Jones, who has strained his left side and is to undergo further scans on the problem on Monday.

The selectors have also brought Durham fast bowler Steve Harmison back into the fold for the first time since including him in the squads for the two Tests against Zimbabwe and two Tests against West Indies two summers ago.

"Our resources in the bowling department have been stretched for this match and we have had to slightly vary our policy with regard to bowlers needing to play in a four-day match before a Test match to prove their fitness," explained Graveney.

"Alex Tudor did play in a Norwich Union League match last week and we will give him every opportunity to prove he is fully match fit in the run-up to the Test.

"With Simon Jones injured, we view Stephen Harmison as a like-for-like replacement who gives us the option of express pace if required."

England squad for the second npower Test against India, starting at Trent Bridge next Thursday:

N Hussain (Essex, capt), MP Vaughan (Yorkshire), MA Butcher (Surrey), RWT Key (Kent), JP Crawley (Hampshire), AJ Stewart (Surrey, wkt), A Flintoff (Lancashire), C White (Yorkshire), AF Giles (Warwickshire), MJ Hoggard (Yorkshire), DG Cork (Derbyshire), SJ Harmison (Durham), AJ Tudor (Surrey).