England squad announced for Second Test

As expected England have recalled Mark Ramprakash and Graham Thorpe into the squad for the Second Test against Australia at Lord's starting on Thursday.

The Surrey pair were named in a 14-man squad today. Ramprakash was recalled for the First Test at Edgbaston but had to pull out with a hamstring strain while Graham Thorpe has been out of action for six weeks with a damaged calf.

He started training again on Thursday and is desperately trying to achieve match fitness before the start of the Lord's Test. However, he will not have raised a bat in anger since the beginning of June.

Yorkshire fast bowler Chris Silverwood also returns, 18 months after making the last of his five Test appearances against South Africa at Centurion Park.

He replaces Yorkshire colleague Matthew Hoggard, who has sustained a suspected stress fracture of his left foot. Spinner Robert Croft, who was included in the squad for the First Test, drops out to accommodate England's mainly pace attack.

Silverwood fought off competition from Surrey's Martin Bicknell and Alex Tudor, who was ruled out this morning after consultations with his county because he has only just returned from injury.

It was the talks over Tudor which resulted in an hour's delay in the announcement of the squad.

"The reason for the delay in the announcement this morning was that we needed to check on the fitness of Alex Tudor," revealed chairman of selectors David Graveney.

"Having discussed the situation with Surrey, our view is that as he has only just returned from injury and bowled only ten overs in the last ten days it would be unwise to risk him in a Test Match.

"We'll need to check on the pitch and local weather conditions at Lord's, but the likelihood is that we will need four seam bowlers.

"We considered Martin Bicknell, but we felt Chris Silverwood has had a good season and fully merits a place in the squad on current form."

Graveney said England would make additional checks on the fitness of Thorpe and Ramprakash, but added: "Graham has reported no adverse reaction to his injury since returning and is keen to play.

"We are also encouraged by Mark coming through the Benson and Hedges Cup final yesterday without any adverse reaction."

Silverwood, meanwhile, was looking forward to get back into action at the top level after returning to form this summer.

"Everybody is desperate to play for their country, but my form was indifferent and I can understand why I did not get picked," he said.

"I have got wickets this year and pushed for my place and thankfully I have got it back.

"It's great to get back into it and pick up from where I left off in South Africa."

Speaking about his injured Yorkshire team-mate Hoggard, Silverwood told Sky Sports News: "It is unfortunate that Matthew is out, but I have got to go down there and do well and hopefully retain my place.

"I know I can do it, but it is a case of being able to do it on the day. They are great opposition and to do it against the Australians would be a great boost for my confidence.

"We have got to play well - it is as simple as that. If we can play the type of cricket we know we are capable of then there is no reason why we cannot level the series."

The England squad:

MA Atherton (Lancashire, capt) Age 33 Tests 111, ME Trescothick (Somerset) 25/12, MA Butcher (Surrey) 28/28, MR Ramprakash (Surrey) 31/42, IJ Ward (Surrey) 28/3, AJ Stewart (Surrey, wkt) 38/111, U Afzaal (Nottinghamshire) 24/1, GP Thorpe (Surrey) 31/68, C White (Yorkshire) 31/19, DG Cork (Derbyshire) 29/33, D Gough (Yorkshire) 30/52, AR Caddick (Somerset) 32/46, CEW Silverwood (Yorkshire) 26/5, AF Giles (Warwickshire) 28/8.