England have released Alex Tudor from their squad for the second Test against India at Trent Bridge. Tudor was included in the 13-man party even though he hadn't played a first-class match since suffering shin splints during the NatWest Series, but his fitness was always doubtful and he will instead play for Surrey against Sussex at Hove.

Tudor's absence extends his frustrating inability to establish himself as a Test player. Despite a series of fine performances - he has 24 wickets at an average of 24 from seven Tests - this will be the 37th match he has missed since he made his debut in Australia in 1998-99.

England now have a full seam attack out injured - Tudor, Darren Gough, Andy Caddick and Simon Jones. As a result, either Steve Harmison or Dominic Cork will win the final spot in their XI. With raw pace currently the vogue in the English game, Harmison is the strong favourite. The prospect of bowling to Sachin Tendulkar on a Trent Bridge featherbed on debut might put the fear of God into some, but Harmison is confident.

"Hopefully I am not overawed by it," he said. "I'll just enjoy bowling to someone like [Tendulkar]. I tend to get better as better players come in. Hopefully I can do that."

One man who will definitely make his debut is Kent opener Robert Key, whose career has been on an upward curve since he impressed Rod Marsh at the Academy last winter.

"The Academy wasn't the best time of my life," Key said. "But looking back on it, it was a very beneficial time. It wasn't designed to be enjoyable, it was meant to toughen up the next batch of England cricketers. It gives you a reality check - it hit us quite hard - and the main thing the Academy did was give us a bit of perspective."

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