Croft reclaims Test spot

Skipper Nasser Hussain: Awaits his turn in the nets

Glamorgan off-spinner Robert Croft received the news he was hoping to hear when England took the unusual step of naming their final eleven almost 48 hours before the start of the first Test against the West Indies.

Croft will make his first Test appearance for 18 months at Edgbaston following the decision to send Chris Schofield, Mark Ealham and Steve Harmison back to join their counties.

"Because the Champions games are starting on Wednesday, it leaves us in a difficult position about when we release players," said chairman of selectors David Graveney.

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"If players are not going to play in a Test match you want them to play cricket, although occasionally we hold people back in case of injury.

"But this time we are very clear about what we want to do. I don't think it's a bold move. We have nothing to hide and we have a fair idea of their side, so let's get on with the game."

Croft owes his recall to three factors - his eight wickets against the tourists at Cardiff last week, the high number of left-handed batsmen in their team and the dearth of quality off-spinners in county cricket at the present time.

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His inclusion in place of Lancashire leg-spinner Schofield is the only change to the side which gave a disappointing performance in the drawn second Test against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge.

Uncapped Durham paceman Harmison has been included in the squad for all three Tests so far this summer without making the final line-up and Graveney offered words of sympathy to him.

"Being part of the squad is something every young player is striving for, and I can understand his disappointment.

"But somewhere down the line the wicket will be in his favour, and it is important when he does get his chance that he has played some cricket and is ready to take his opportunity."

The England team to play West Indies at Edgbaston:

N Hussain (Essex, capt), M Atherton (Lancashire), M Ramprakash (Middlesex), G Hick (Worcestershire), A Surrey, wkt), N Knight (Warwickshire), A Flintoff (Lancashire), R Croft (Glamorgan), A Caddick (Somerset), D Gough (Yorkshire), E Giddins (Warwickshire).