England's cricket selectors today named a 16-man Test squad for this winter's Ashes series in Australia.

The Surrey left-hander Graham Thorpe has been recalled to the squad following his decision to take a break from all cricket for personal reasons earlier in the summer.

There are also places for the pace duo of Stephen Harmison and Simon Jones, both Test debutants against India this summer, and two new caps from last winter's tour of India and New Zealand, the Yorkshire off-spinner, Richard Dawson and the Essex wicket-keeper, James Foster.

England captain Nasser Hussain is one of nine players to have been awarded 12-month contracts by the ECB to run from October 1st, 2002 until 30th September 2003.

Of the players selected for this summer's npower Test series against India, there is no place in the Ashes tour party for Dominic Cork, Robert Key, Craig White or Alex Tudor. Tudor is included in a 15-man ECB National Academy squad to be based in Adelaide along with two players recently called up to England's ICC Trophy squad, Ian Blackwell and Rikki Clarke.

Chairman of Selectors, David Graveney, said: "Graham Thorpe has had to cope with a difficult period in his personal life and the selectors talked at length - both with Graham and amongst ourselves - about this winter's programme and how he will cope with being away from home for a long period.

"What impressed us all was Graham's determination to get back into the Test arena. His desire to play international cricket is as strong as ever, he remains one of our best batsmen and, as selectors, we are convinced that England will only be the stronger with a fully fit and committed Graham Thorpe in the tour party.

"In choosing the make-up of this squad, we have opted for five pace bowlers, two spinners and one all-rounder. Reflecting on the team's performances this summer, we have been mindful of the need to strengthen our ability to bowl sides out twice and give ourselves a greater chance of winning matches.

"Simon Jones and Stephen Harmison are both terrific prospects who should find the conditions in Australia to their liking and their inclusion will create genuine competition for places in the pace bowling department.

"We will continue to monitor the fitness of Andrew Flintoff, Darren Gough, Simon Jones and Michael Vaughan in the run-up to departure, but at this stage we are confident that all four will be fit and available to tour.

"Alex Tudor has been included in the National Academy Squad rather than the Test squad because we have concerns about his strength and stamina and want him to concentrate on these areas this winter.

"Following discussions with both Warwickshire and Rod Marsh, Ian Bell has not been included in the Academy squad to go to Australia. He has a stress fracture of the back and it is felt that he needs a rest after a long period of continuous cricket.

"The National Academy programme this winter, however, does include a tour of Sri Lanka in the New Year and we will consider including Ian on that trip provided he makes a satisfactory recovery from injury."

England Test Squad to tour Australia

Players                                         D.O.B           Age	
Nasser Hussain (captain) (Essex)   *            28.3.68         34
Mark Butcher (Surrey)              *            23.8.72         30
Andrew Caddick (Somerset           *            21.11.68        33
John Crawley (Hampshire)                        21.9.71         30
Richard Dawson (Yorkshire)                       4.8.80         22
Andrew Flintoff (Lancashire)       *             6.12.77        24
James Foster (Essex)                            15.4.80         22
Ashley Giles (Warwickshire)        *            19.3.73         29
Darren Gough (Yorkshire)                        18.9.70         31
Stephen Harmison (Durham)                       23.10.78        23
Matthew Hoggard (Yorkshire)        *            31.12.76        25
Simon Jones (Glamorgan)                         25.12.78        23
Alec Stewart (Surrey)              *             8.4.63         39
Graham Thorpe (Surrey)                           1.8.69         33
Marcus Trescothick (Somerset)      *            25.12.75        26
Michael Vaughan (Yorkshire)        *            29.10.74        27

* Denotes award of 12-month ECB contract

ECB National Academy Squad 2002-03

Players                                         D.O.B           Age
Kabir Ali (Worcestershire)                      24.11.80        21
James Anderson (Lancashire)                     30.7.82         20
Gareth Batty (Worcestershire)                   13.10.77        24
Ian Blackwell (Somerset)                        10.6.78         24
Rikki Clarke (Surrey)                           29.9.81         20
Kyle Hogg (Lancashire)                           2.7.83         19
Gordon Muchall (Durham)                          2.11.82        19
Monty Panesar (Northamptonshire)                25.4.82         20
Chris Read (Nottinghamshire)                    10.8.78         24
Darren Stevens (Leicestershire)                 30.4.76         26
Chris Tremlett (Hampshire)                       2.9.81         21
James Troughton (Warwickshire)                   2.3.79         23
Alex Tudor (Surrey)                             23.10.77        24
Graham Wagg (Warwickshire)                      28.4.83         19
Mark Wallace (Glamorgan)                        19.11.81        20

© ECB