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Paul Collingwood was named in England's 12-man squad for the first npower Test against New Zealand at Lord's - although his fitness will be monitored ahead of Thursday's start.
The dozen names, which also include Yorkshire swing bowler Matthew Hoggard, provide the party for the first two of three Tests against the Black Caps.
Collingwood, 31, was treated for a sore right shoulder in the aftermath of Durham's defeat to Lancashire at Old Trafford, a match which saw Andrew Flintoff's injury jinx strike again.
Although there is some doubt as to Collingwood's availability, however, the new-look selection panel have declined to announce an official standby player.
"Despite being faced with some injury concerns we've named what we think is an extremely strong England Test squad," said national selector Geoff Miller.
"Paul Collingwood received treatment to his right shoulder on Friday and we now need to see how he responds to that treatment before we have a definitive idea of his availability for the first npower Test.
"At this stage it's too early to say whether he will definitely play as he will be reassessed in the lead up to Thursday.
"I know Paul and the England medical team will be doing everything to ensure he's given the best chance of taking his place in the side but should he not be fit to play we have options available."
All the signs pointed to England recalling all-rounder Flintoff at the earliest opportunity, only for a side strain to sideline him for a fortnight.
"Andrew Flintoff was obviously unavailable for selection, which is a shame for Andrew and for England but I know he'll continue to work hard with the Lancashire medical team and be back in contention in due course," added Miller.
England have chosen the XI which came back from 1-0 down to win the Test series in New Zealand in March plus Hoggard, who was axed for those two final matches along with pace bowler Steve Harmison.
"Clearly there is very healthy competition for places in this Test side, which can only be good for England," said Miller. "The selection of this squad maintains a position of continuity from the winter following a series win against New Zealand.
"We're expecting an equally tough series here at home and believe we have a squad capable of building on the success stemming from last winter.
"The decision to leave the likes of Stephen Harmison out of the squad was a difficult one but we've no doubt that Stephen, along with several other players, will continue to fight every inch of the way to stake a claim for England selection."
England squad: MP Vaughan (Yorkshire, capt), AN Cook (Essex), AJ Strauss (Middlesex), KP Pietersen (Hampshire), IR Bell (Warwickshire), PD Collingwood (Durham), TR Ambrose (Warwickshire, wkt), SCJ Broad (Nottinghamshire), RJ Sidebottom (Nottinghamshire), MS Panesar (Northamptonshire), JM Anderson (Lancashire), MJ Hoggard (Yorkshire).
Your Comments
OzUKman
Side strains, sore shoulders and one of the Lions getting stretchered off after celebrating a century? England may as well select cardboard cut outs for the test series. Seriously though as an UK supporter living in Australia, I can't believe the amount of injuries these cricketers get compared to the Aussies. More importantly the selectors should have to guts to blood youngsters instead of including players who aren't 100% fit. While I'm here, how about you blokes start picking players on form rather than reputation? Vaughan and Panesar will still be around but what's the harm in trying a few guys in their 20's against a pretty average New Zealand?
jack
I sometimes fail to understand why our selectors pick unfit players for the team. It is not that we are short of players vying to get into the team on merit. Since we are so confident of beating NZ(from all the comments by Vaughan et al), why can't we do it without Collingwood? Let him get completely fit as also Freddie for the sterner battles that lie ahead (SA). It seems that we just cannot do without certain players in the team, and feel that we will fall apart at the seams if these players are not in the team. It is about time, Vaughan, Strauss, Pietersen, Cook, Bell etc perform to their true potential, which will in turn allow us to experiment with some new, young budding players. England, are you listening?