Thaindian News

London, Sep 24(ANI): England has recalled left-arm spinner Monty Panesar and fast bowler Chris Tremlett in their 16-man squad for the Ashes series in Australia.

Panesar is said to have benefited from a move to a new county, with 52 wickets for Sussex.

“Monty deserves his opportunity to assume the role as England’s second spinner behind Graeme Swann,” The BBC quoted Geoff Miller, national selector, as saying.

“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,” he added.

His 39 Test appearances include the eight-wicket match haul he achieved on his Ashes debut in Perth, in the 2006-07 Ashes in which England were whitewashed 5-0.

Talking about Surrey fast bowler Tremlett, Miller said: “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,” he added.

Tremlett’s first season with Surrey has seen him take 48 County Championship Division Two wickets.

The 6ft 7in fast bowler is also thought to be tailor-made for Australian pitches.

Batsman Kevin Pietersen returned after being dropped for the five-match ODI series against Pakistan along with Ian Bell, who missed the four-match Test series against Pakistan due to a broken metatarsal.

The first of the five Ashes Tests will be held at The Gabba in Brisbane from November 25 to 29.

It will be followed by Tests in Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne and Sydney.

Two Twenty20 clashes and a seven-match one-day series have also been scheduled between Australia and England.

England Ashes squad: Andrew Strauss (Captain), Alastair Cook, James Anderson, Ian Bell, Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Paul Collingwood, Steven Davies, (wicketkeeper), Steven Finn, Eoin Morgan, Monty Panesar, Kevin Pietersen, Matt Prior (wicketkeeper), Graeme Swann, Chris Tremlett and Jonathan Trott. (ANI)