Prior and Shah called up

13 May 2007

Matt Prior © Getty Images

England have named a 12-man squad under the captaincy of Andrew Strauss for the first npower Test against West Indies at Lord’s, starting on Thursday.

Strauss, who captained England to a 3-0 Test series win over Pakistan last summer, will lead the side in the absence of Michael Vaughan, who has a broken finger.

Sussex wicket-keeper Matthew Prior will make his Test debut behind the stumps while Middlesex batsman Owais Shah has also been included in the squad.

Chairman of selectors David Graveney said: “Michael Vaughan has made progress with his recovery from injury but his chances of being fully fit for this Test match are extremely doubtful and we feel the best course of action is to avoid any uncertainty and for Andrew Strauss to deputise for him.

"Michael will continue his rehabilitation with the squad at Lord’s next week and we will reassess his fitness when we sit down to pick the side for Headingley.

“I have spoken to both Andrew Flintoff and Andrew Strauss about the captaincy position.

“Our view is that the team’s best interests will be served if Andrew Strauss leads the team as this will allow Andrew Flintoff to concentrate on his batting and bowling.

“We are very optimistic that Kevin Pietersen will be fit and we do not have any other injury concerns leading into this Test match.

"Owais Shah has been included in the squad to provide cover for Kevin but also to give us the option of playing a stronger batting line-up if required.

“We debated the wicket-keeping position at length as there are a number of strong candidates for the position at present.

“Matt averages nearly 40 with the bat in first-class cricket and this was an important factor in reaching our decision.

“He performed well for England A in the winter, has experienced the international environment before and will, I am sure, be very excited about the prospect of making his Test debut at Lord’s.

“James Anderson has not been named in the squad but he will be our standby seam bowler for this Test match in case of injury and will be available to Lancashire for their LV County Championship match against Worcestershire which starts on Tuesday.”

England squad

Andrew Strauss (captain, Middlesex)
Ian Bell (Warwickshire)
Paul Collingwood (Durham)
Alastair Cook (Essex)
Andrew Flintoff (Lancashire)
Stephen Harmison (Durham)
Matthew Hoggard (Yorkshire)
Monty Panesar (Northants)
Kevin Pietersen (Hampshire)
Liam Plunkett (Durham)
Matthew Prior (Sussex)
Owais Shah (Middlesex)