Ian Botham has attacked England's selectors for choosing three players over 30 in the squad to face Sri Lanka at Lord's starting on Thursday (May 16). Botham told BBC Radio 5 Live that the decision was a "giant backward step", and that the selection of John Crawley and Dominic Cork was particularly baffling.

"It's mind-blowing, I'm absolutely flabbergasted," said Botham. "It's nothing personal, I like all the lads involved - Alec Stewart, Crawley and Cork - but what's the point of having an academy? It makes no sense whatsoever. Stewart is the only one of the three players drafted in as replacements who I can see playing in Australia. As far as Crawley and Corky are concerned I don't see it happening."

He added that a great opportunity to blood some youngsters had been wasted. "The excuse that some players aren't in the best of form is baloney, because we've only had a couple of weeks of the season. It baffles me. We've got to look at the big picture. I would be extremely disappointed if we didn't crush Sri Lanka and India.

"If we lose this series at home it will be a major body blow. It's crucial to perform and also crucial to build a squad for Australia, and that's where they've missed a golden opportunity."

But Nasser Hussain defended the decision. "We're not such a good side that we can just throw someone in and give them a Test cap. We're England and we have to play at our best throughout a match in order to win," explained Hussain. "You earn your right to play for England and we do not underestimate anyone."

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