Venue: Emirates Old Trafford, ManchesterDate: 1-5 AugustStart time: 11:00 BSTCoverage: Ball-by-ball Test Match Special commentary on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra, BBC Radio 4 Long Wave and via the BBC iPlayer Radio app, BBC Sport website & BBC Sport app. Live text commentary on BBC Sport website, app & mobile devices
Kevin Pietersen has been included in England’s squad for the third Ashes Test against Australia despite ongoing concerns over a calf injury.James Taylor, who played in two Tests against South Africa last summer before being left out and ultimately replaced by Joe Root, is recalled as cover.
Spinner Monty Panesar is also drafted in, along with Surrey paceman Chris Tremlett. Fellow seamers Steven Finn and Graham Onions have been dropped.
The third Test begins on Thursday.
Continue reading the main storyGeoff Miller National selector Pietersen, 33, was hampered by a calf problem throughout the second Test and was unable to field in the second innings at Lord’s.“Kevin Pietersen is continuing his recovery from a calf strain and he will be assessed by the medical team closer to the start of the Test”
The England and Wales Cricket Board asked for Nottinghamshire’s 23-year-old right-hander Taylor to play as a guest for Sussex in a three-day match against Australia and he pressed his claims with an unbeaten 64.
Leading the five-match series 2-0, England will retain the Ashes if they do not lose in Manchester.
With the Old Trafford wicket usually conducive to spin, Panesar has been drafted into the squad to increase their attacking options.
Were the 31-year-old to make the final XI, it would be his first home Test for four years.
Tremlett has not been involved with England for 18 months.
Selector Geoff Miller says England will give Pietersen time to prove his fitness but feels Taylor would be an adequate replacement.
He said: “Kevin Pietersen is continuing his recovery from a calf strain and he will be assessed by the medical team closer to the start of the Test, and we have therefore included an extra batsman in James Taylor who has been in good form for Nottinghamshire this season.
“Chris Tremlett has worked hard to regain fitness and form following a couple of injuries and his performances for Surrey this season have been very encouraging.
“Including an additional spinner in Monty Panesar, who has plenty of international experience, provides Alastair Cook (captain) and Andy Flower (coach) with a number of options.”
Taylor made scores of 34, 10 and four in his only previous Test experience against South Africa
Former England batsman Mark Ramprakash has coached Taylor, with the England Lions and is confident the Nottinghamshire man can make the step up.He told BBC Radio 5 live’s Sportsweek programme: “He’s been very consistent and he merits his selection.
“Jamie’s a very good player. He’s small in stature and people have questioned whether he has the ability to play at Test level but there have been other great players in the past who have had smaller stature but he can do that and he’s still only 23.
“He had that experience last summer and he’ll be really hungry to get in there and make an impression.”
After a victory by 14 runs in the opening Test at Trent Bridge, England won the second Test at Lord’s by 347 runs.
England squad: Alastair Cook (Essex, capt), James Anderson (Lancashire), Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire), Ian Bell (Warwickshire), Tim Bresnan (Yorkshire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Monty Panesar (Sussex), Kevin Pietersen (Surrey), Matt Prior (Sussex, wk), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Graeme Swann (Nottinghamshire), James Taylor (Nottinghamshire), Chris Tremlett (Surrey), Jonathan Trott (Warwickshire).
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Taylor, Panesar and Tremlett recalled
