Trott receives surprise England call

Warwickshire batsman Jonathan Trott has received a surprise England call-up before the fourth Ashes Test. The un-capped 28-year-old will join the 14-man squad for the Test against Australia at Headingley on Friday.

Trott scored only 11 runs in his previous experience of international cricket, two Twenty20 games in 2007. He is chosen alongside seamer Ryan Sidebottom, named for the first time this summer, but left-arm spin bowler Monty Panesar will not be part of the squad.

The selection of both Trott and Sidebottom highlights the selectors' concerns over the fitness of all-rounder Andrew Flintoff. If he is not fit England can replace him with either a batsman or a bowler depending on conditions.

National selector Geoff Miller said: "Jonathan Trott has also performed really well for Warwickshire this season and his place in the squad is fully deserved."

"His inclusion will provide us with the option of playing six batsmen if we feel this is appropriate."

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING:

David Hopps, the Guardian: "If Flintoff cannot raise a gallop then indications are that England will settle for a Trott: Jonathan Trott. Warwickshire's South African-born batsman, who is averaging 99.75 in championship cricket, heavily assisted by Edgbaston's moribund pitches, would then almost certainly make his Test debut at No6, as an additional specialist batsman, with Flower having stressed that Ravi Bopara is safe at No3."

Michael Atherton, the Times: "Trott has been included in a 14-man squad with Monty Panesar omitted (conditions at Headingley could not be less spin-friendly), Stephen Harmison retained and Ryan Sidebottom named for the first time this summer. That it is anybody’s guess which of the three has the best chance of playing speaks volumes for the selection conundrums that face England before the fourth npower Test starts on Friday."

Stephen Brenkley, the Independent: "With the Ashes depending on it, England yesterday hesitated in selecting their most important Test team for four years. To protect their precious 1-0 lead in the series, they gave themselves the options of sticking with a crocked all-rounder who can barely walk and is soon to retire, or fielding an uncapped 28-year-old South African batsman.

Chloe Saltau and Jamie Pandaram, Melbourne Age: "A hobbling Andrew Flintoff is battling to be fit for the fourth Test, and Australian skipper Ricky Ponting believes the knee injury to England's star all-rounder became far more debilitating during the Edgbaston draw than his rivals have let on. Ponting pointed out that with Kevin Pietersen ruled out of the Test series, Flintoff's omission would be a massive loss to an England side looking to take an unassailable 2-0 lead at Headingley from Friday."