Ronnie Irani is back in the England one-day squad, after an irresistible start to the season with his county Essex. Sussex's James Kirtley also returns, complete with a remodelled bowling action, and with Andrew Caddick ruled out of the series through injury, there is a first one-day call-up for Alex Tudor, due reward for his matchwinning performances in the third Test against Sri Lanka. Irani, who made his debut during India's last tour of England in 1996, has disappointed in his ten one-day internationals to date. He made just 16 runs in his last six innings, including three ducks, against Zimbabwe and New Zealand in 1996-97, and in all has only four wickets to his name, at 61.50.

But his county form this season brooks no argument. In the Championship, he has averaged 72 with the bat and 21 with the ball, and last week recorded his maiden double-century - 207 not out against Northants. His one-day form has been even more prolific - averaging 84 with bat and 14 with ball - and on Saturday, he will lead Essex in the final of the Benson & Hedges Cup at Lord's.

"Ronnie Irani has been in the form of his life for Essex this summer," said David Graveney, England's chairman of selectors, "and the message that we always send out to county players is, 'If you keep performing - we will look at you.' Ronnie has done that and he is fully deserving of his selection."

The return of Kirtley is a matter of some concern in the current climate, given that he was reported to the ICC for a suspect bowling action during England's tour of Zimbabwe last October. Graveney, though, is adamant that the matter is closed: "James Kirtley is aware of the environment that he is coming into as an international cricketer," he said, "and has done a lot of remedial work on his action with Bob Cottam over the winter.

"As far as the selectors are concerned, he has been cleared to play by the ECB Bowling Review Group, has performed successfully for Sussex this season, and that is the end of the matter."

Darren Gough, who has been looking short of fitness since his knee operation in the winter, is nonetheless back in the squad, and will be eased into contention for the later games. Paul Collingwood is also included on merit, despite also suffering from a knee injury, while Jeremy Snape is back as cover for Ashley Giles, whose stiff back has ruled him out of Warwickshire's C&G match against Kent today.

"In choosing this squad, we concluded that all of the players who played in the last Test match deserved to be included - minus those who are currently injured," added Graveney. "We felt we made some important strides in one-day cricket during the winter, but we are definitely reaching the conclusion that the best players should be playing in both forms of international cricket."

England squad