Harmison and Key called up

SYDNEY, Dec 2 PA - Steve Harmison and Robert Key today won call-ups to England's one-day cricket squad for the first time following their encouraging performances during the Ashes series defeat against Australia.

Durham fast bowler Harmison and Kent batsman Key were named in a 16-man squad to compete in the one-day triangular series against Australia and Sri Lanka which starts in Sydney on December 13.

Worcestershire fast bowler Kabir Ali is also named in the squad and is the only uncapped member of the party, while Lancashire all-rounder Andrew Flintoff has been included despite his failure to recover fully from a hernia operation.

Ali won a place in the England Academy squad after an impressive season with Worcestershire.

The 22-year-old paceman was voted the county's player of the year after taking 71 wickets at an average of 25.08.

He has been promoted from the Academy set-up as England was forced to alter plans for its one-day squad.

Selectors originally named seven one-day specialists, leaving the other spots open for those who showed form during the Test series.

However, Craig White and Paul Collingwood both received call-ups to the Ashes squad as England struggled under the weight of injuries, while James Kirtley has replaced original selection Darren Gough.

England has also lost Simon Jones while Matthew Hoggard has struggled for form.

Chris Silverwood, who sustained a torn ankle ligament in the third Test at Perth, will fly home in the next few days after being ruled out of the remaining two Test matches at Melbourne and Sydney over Christmas and New Year.

Those members of the Test squad not included in the one-day party will remain in Perth to continue work before the Ashes series resumes.

England squad: Nasser Hussain (capt), Kabir Ali, Ian Blackwell, Andrew Caddick, Paul Collingwood, Andrew Flintoff, Steve Harmison, Ronni Irani, Robert Key, James Kirtley, Nick Knight, Owais Shah, Jeremy Snape, Alec Stewart, Marcus Trescothick, Craig White.