ADELAIDE, Australia, Dec 10 (AFP) - England sprang their biggest selection shock of the Ashes tour by including a bowler who has not played a first-class game on tour to be a key part of their attack in the third Test starting here Friday.

The tourists Thursday named off-spinner Peter Such, who last played in a Test four-and-a-half years ago, in the side which must win here to have a realistic chance of recapturing the Ashes.

Fast bowler Dean Headley is also back on Test duty for the first time in six months.

In another surprise, England have dropped fast bowler Alex Tudor, 21, one of their major successes in the second Test in Perth, which Australia won by by seven wickets to give the home side a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

Veteran paceman Angus Fraser was predictably left out again and swing bowler Dominic Cork was not considered because he still has 'flu.

Such, 34, from Essex, who was overlooked for the tourists' first six first-class games, comes in at the expense of off-spinner Robert Croft.

"It's a bit of a surprise, but a very pleasant one," said Such, who will be appearing in only his ninth Test over five-and-a-half years.

"You just have to be ready when the opportunity comes. I want to go out there and give it my best."

Such has bowled a mere nine overs in a match since the tour began six weeks ago - and that was in a one-day festival game near Perth. His figures: 1-67, with no maidens.

Justifying the selection, England team manager Graham Gooch said Croft had had an opportunity and now it was time for Such to have his.

"We would have liked him to play two or three games, but that is not possible with the itinerary the way it is," he said.

"You cannot say you cannot pick someone because he has had no competition, because then he would never play."

Croft, 28, has played in four first-class games on tour, including the first Test in Brisbane, but has not satisfied the England selectors he can play a match-winning role.

He has taken 15 wickets, but at an average of more than 32 runs apiece2E

The Adelaide Oval is expected to offer considerable help to the spinners, especially later in the game.

Leg-spinner Stuart MacGill looms as a potential match-winner for Australia.

Headley, 28, from Kent, grandson of George Headley and son of Ron Headley, who both played for the West Indies, had been overlooked since the second Test against South Africa at Lord's in June.

He has earned a recall after capturing 7 for 112 in the match against Victoria which ended in Melbourne Tuesday.

Headley has fond memories of his debut Test against Australia at Old Trafford, Manchester, in July, 1997, when he snatched marvellous match figures of 8 for 176.

In three Tests in that series, he claimed 16 wickets at an average of 27.75 - his best record against any country.

This will be his 11th Test appearance.

England: Mike Atherton, Mark Butcher, Nasser Hussain, Alec Stewart (capt), Mark Ramprakash, John Crawley, Graeme Hick, Dean Headley, Darren Gough, Alan Mullally, Peter Such (12th man to be added Friday).

Australia: Mark Taylor (capt), Michael Slater, Justin Langer, Mark Waugh, Steve Waugh, Ricky Ponting,Ian Healy,Damien Fleming, Stuart MacGill, Colin Miller, Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie (12th man to be named).