England keep faith with squad humiliated at Leeds

England have named a 14-man squad for the Ashes decider against Australia at The Brit Oval starting on Thursday.

There are no new names in the party, with the speculation around recalls for Mark Ramprakash and Rob Key, in the end, proving groundless.

The uncapped Warwickshire batsman Jonathan Trott has again been included and Monty Panesar returns to the squad.

Ravi Bopara has been omitted, the only fall-guy for an innings defeat at Headingley that saw England outclassed in every department.

ECB National Selector, Geoff Miller , said: “The final Test Match is an absolutely vital game for the team with so much at stake and we have had to make some difficult selection decisions in choosing our squad.

“Ravi Bopara has been going through a tough time with the bat in this series and we have decided to leave him out of the squad for this game. He will be extremely disappointed but remains very much part of our plans for the future and I am sure that he has the talent and temperament to regain his place in the side.

“ Ravi ’s omission means Jonathan Trott will make his Test debut. Having been part of the squad at Headingley, he was the next batsman in line in our view and this rewards him for the excellent form he has shown in County cricket both this summer and with England Lions over the winter.

“Ian Bell will bat at three next week which is a position he has occupied for England before and we were delighted to see both him and Jonathan make centuries for Warwickshire this week.

“Andrew Flintoff and James Anderson ’s injuries are much improved with rest and treatment and we anticipate that both players will be fit and available for selection next Thursday. “

The full squad is:

Andrew Strauss (capt) Middlesex

James Anderson Lancashire

Ian Bell Warwickshire

Stuart Broad Nottinghamshire

Paul Collingwood Durham

Alastair Cook Essex

Andrew Flintoff Lancashire

Stephen Harmison Durham

Graham Onions Durham

Monty Panesar Northamptonshire

Matt Prior Sussex

Ryan Sidebottom Nottinghamshire

Graeme Swann Nottinghamshire

Jonathan Trott Warwickshire