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| August 10, 2003 | Sunday | Jumadi-us-Sani 11, 1424 |
McGrath axed as England call up uncapped trio
LONDON, Aug 9: England’s selectors named three uncapped players on Saturday in their 13-man squad for next week’s third Test against South Africa at Trent Bridge.
Following last week’s crushing innings and 92 run second Test defeat by South Africa at Lord’s, which saw the Proteas take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series, the uncapped trio of in-form Kent batsman Ed Smith, Lancashire seamer Glen Chapple and Worcestershire off-spinner Gareth Batty have been selected.
Chapple comes in following the departure of Darren Gough, who announced his Test retirement after Lord’s.
But Gough’s fellow Yorkshireman, middle-order batsman Anthony McGrath, has been dropped from the team after scoring 51 runs in three innings against South Africa.
Batty, 25, adds to England’s spin options, with left-armer Ashley Giles retained, although it looks like the pair will be competing for one place.
Also known for his lively fielding, Batty played two One-day Internationals in Australia last winter.
Chapple, 29, a stalwart of the county circuit, first came to England’s attention when he went on the ‘A’ tour of Australia seven years ago.
However, his long wait for a Test cap may not end at Trent Bridge. Regular reserve James Kirtley of Sussex, yet to make his Test debut, is again included, as is Durham quick Stephen Harmison.
The pace trio look set to be competing for the two seam bowling places alongside Chapple’s Lancashire team-mates James Anderson and all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, assuming England opt for just one spinner.
Smith, 26, however, is set to play after a fine season for Kent where he has been averaging over 60 in first-class matches.
Former captain Nasser Hussain and veteran wicket-keeper Alec Stewart both retain their places, despite speculation over their England futures.
Hussain’s resignation immediately after the drawn series opener at Edgbaston meant Vaughan inherited a team he had not shaped for Lord’s.
This squad is the first at Test level where he has had an influence in selection and there is no place for Surrey left-hander Graham Thorpe.
Left-hander Thorpe averages 41.87 in 77 Tests and was a public favourite to bolster England’s middle-order.
But he has not been considered by England since reversing his decision to go on the Ashes tour of Australia because of personal problems.
England selector and former Test off-spinner Geoff Miller said: “Ed Smith is in prime form and fully deserves his chance having hit six centuries for Kent this year.
“He will play in place of Anthony McGrath, who did very well against Zimbabwe but struggled a bit with his form against South Africa And finally we have picked Gareth Batty and Glen Chapple as extra spin and quick bowling options, both of whom have performed well this season for their respective counties.”
About McGrath, who impressed with his attitude in his brief career, Miller said: “He is certainly not out of our thoughts for future England team selections.”
Batty said he believed his One-day International matches had made him a better player. “I’d like to think I tasted (international cricket) a little bit against Australia and I’ve got a few extra things in my game that are different now. The experience should stand me in good stead,” he told Sky Sports.
Thorpe is keen to return but suffered a back spasm just before the second Test. Miller said he was still not fully fit but remained in England’s thinking.
Squad: Michael Vaughan (Yorkshire, captain), James Anderson (Lancashire), Gareth Batty (Worcestershire), Mark Butcher (Surrey), Glen Chapple (Lancashire), Andrew Flintoff (Lancashire), Ashley Giles (Warwickshire), Stephen Harmison (Durham), Nasser Hussain (Essex), James Kirtley (Sussex), Ed Smith (Kent), Alec Stewart (Surrey, wicket-keeper) and Marcus Trescothick (Somerset).—AFP/Reuters
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