England today named a 13-man squad for next week's 3rd Cornhill Test Match against West Indies at Old Trafford. (August 3rd-7th)

Marcus Trescothick Photo © CricInfo

The selectors have included the Somerset opener Marcus Trescothick in the Test squad for the first time and there is also a recall for Surrey's Graham Thorpe. Mark Ramprakash and Nick Knight are the players omitted from the eleven who played in the 2nd Test at Lord's.

Announcing the squad, Chairman of Selectors, David Graveney said: "The reason we have announced the squad earlier than usual is to enable the Coach, in conjunction with the selectors, to take a view on which players should participate in the next round of PPP healthcare County Championship matches.

"After discussions with his fellow selectors, Duncan Fletcher will make a decision within the next 48 hours on which players will play four-day games starting this Friday.

"In naming 13 players, we have given ourselves plenty of options in terms of a final eleven. We could opt to play seven batters or six batsmen, an all-rounder, a specialist spinner and three seam bowlers.

"Our final decision will depend on our analysis of the pitch and the weather conditions but it is unlikely that we will play five seamers as we did at Lord's.

"Deciding on our batting line-up for this match was very difficult as we had nine batsmen to choose from.

"Mark Ramprakash has stated a case for opening in international cricket this summer and has had to play against two world-class fast bowlers in Walsh and Ambrose on wickets that haven't been straightforward.

"But after his impressive performances in the NatWest Series, we have decided that Marcus Trescothick deserves a chance in Test cricket and he will open the innings with Michael Atherton at Old Trafford.

Graham Thorpe Photo © CricInfo

"With regard to Nick Knight, it was a difficult decision between him and Graham Thorpe. But Graham's improved form over the last month tipped the scales in his favour."

Marcus Trescothick said: "It's going to be a little bit different playing Test cricket. But I feel I've been playing well for England in the NatWest Series and also for Somerset so hopefully I can carry that on.

"I've played against Walsh, Ambrose and Rose in County cricket before and I also faced Reon King at Under 19 level but playing against them at Test level will be a new challenge and I'm looking forward to it.

"It will be nice to partner Michael Atherton in his 100th Test and you can only learn from batting with someone like him who has got so much experience at this level."

England Squad

Players                                D.O.B      Tests
Nasser Hussain (Captain) (Essex)      28.03.68     50
Michael Atherton (Lancashire)         23.03.68     99                          
Andrew Caddick (Somerset)             21.11.68     34
Dominic Cork* (Derbyshire)            07.08.71     28
Robert Croft* (Glamorgan)             25.05.70     16
Darren Gough (Yorkshire)              18.09.70     40
Graeme Hick (Worcestershire)          23.05.66     58
Matthew Hoggard* (Yorkshire)          31.12.76      1
Alec Stewart (Surrey)                 08.04.63     99
Marcus Trescothick (Somerset)*        25.12.75      0 
Graham Thorpe (Surrey)*               01.08.69     57 
Michael Vaughan (Yorkshire)           29.10.74      5                     
Craig White (Yorkshire)               16.12.69      9
* denotes non-contracted player