Panesar and Tremlett named in England’s Ashes squad
England have named their 16-man Ashes squad to take on Australia this winter – with Chris Tremlett and Monty Panesar both winning recalls.
Pace bowler Tremlett won the last of his three Test caps against India in 2007 but has been drafted back into the squad after an impressive county season in which he has claimed 48 championship wickets for Surrey.
Panesar has not played international cricket since his dramatic rearguard action with the bat helped save the first Ashes Test in Cardiff last year but has been revitalised since moving from Northamptonshire to Sussex, and has got the nod over James Tredwell and Adil Rashid to be England’s back-up spin bowler.
Steven Davies, who is uncapped at Test level, has been named as England’s deputy wicketkeeper behind Matt Prior, while fit-again Warwickshire batsman Ian Bell also wins a place in the squad and Tim Bresnan has edged out Yorkshire team-mate Ajmal Shahzad to be the fifth seamer.
Shahzad has been named along with Tredwell in the 16 strong performance squad, a back-up group who will also be in Australia during the winter.
National selector Geoff Miller said: “We believe we’ve selected an outstanding Test squad for what will be a fiercely contested Ashes series in Australia. In order to retain the Ashes we will need to play to a very high level and we believe we’ve selected a squad to do just that.
“Clearly there are always difficult decisions to make when selecting an England squad and this Ashes squad was no different. We feel that Chris Tremlett’s inclusion will add a real threat of pace and bounce to our bowling attack given the conditions in Australia. Chris will be vying for a place in the final team amongst a confident attack including James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Tim Bresnan and Steven Finn.
“We feel that following an excellent season with Sussex Monty Panesar deserves his opportunity to assume the role as England’s second spinner behind Graeme Swann. Monty has gone away and worked on his bowling since his last England appearance and he continues to be an attacking threat with the ball in his hand.
“In terms of the second wicketkeeper’s role behind Matt Prior, Steven Davies has shown what he is capable of with Surrey and England this year, his glovework and batting have continued to reach new levels.
“There is real competition for places in terms of the batsmen with a number of excellent candidates vying for selection for the first Test. Each batsman brings something different to the squad but all posses the ability to significantly contribute to a winning England team.
England captain Andrew Strauss added: “I am excited by the Test squad we have selected for the upcoming Ashes series as I firmly believe we have a number of match winners across all areas of the squad.
“It’s exciting to have the Ashes as our sole focus from this point on and I know every member of this Ashes squad will be relishing the challenge of retaining the Ashes in Australia.
“To captain England in an Ashes series Down Under is a huge honour and something I am looking forward to with enormous anticipation. We realise the challenge ahead of us in Australia but it is a test we welcome and look forward to meeting head on.”
Meanwhile, the England and Wales Cricket Board have also awarded 11 central contracts for the coming year, with Jonathan Trott and Steven Finn included for the first time.
Ravi Bopara, Bresnan, Eoin Morgan, Luke Wright and Michael Yardy have been given incremental contracts.
Ashes squad:
Andrew Strauss (captain, Middlesex), Alastair Cook (vice-captain, Essex), James Anderson (Lancashire), Ian Bell (Warwickshire), Tim Bresnan (Yorkshire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Paul Collingwood (Durham), Steven Davies (wk, Surrey), Steven Finn (Middlesex), Eoin Morgan (Middlesex), Monty Panesar (Sussex), Kevin Pietersen (Hampshire), Matt Prior (wk, Sussex), Graeme Swann (Nottinghamshire), Chris Tremlett (Surrey), Jonathan Trott (Warwickshire)
England performance programme squad:
Jimmy Adams (Hampshire), Jonny Bairstow (wk, Yorkshire), Danny Briggs (Hampshire), Michael Carberry (Hampshire), Maurice Chambers (Essex), Jade Dernbach (Surrey), Andrew Gale (Yorkshire), James Hildreth (Somerset), Craig Kieswetter (wk, Somerset), Adam Lyth (Yorkshire), Liam Plunkett (Durham), Ajmal Shahzad (Yorkshire), Ben Stokes (Durham), James Taylor (Leicestershire), James Tredwell (Kent), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire)
Central contracts:
Andrew Strauss (Middlesex), James Anderson (Lancashire), Ian Bell (Warwickshire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Paul Collingwood (Durham), Alastair Cook (Essex), Steven Finn (Middlesex), Kevin Pietersen (Hampshire), Matt Prior (Sussex), Graeme Swann (Nottinghamshire), Jonathan Trott (Warwickshire)
Incremental contracts:
Ravi Bopara (Essex), Tim Bresnan (Yorkshire), Eoin Morgan (Middlesex), Luke Wright (Sussex), Michael Yardy (Sussex)