26 August 2004	Thursday	09 Rajab 1425

LONDON, Aug 25: Batsman Ian Bell was the notable absentee and batting all-rounder Paul Collingwood a surprise inclusion when England announced a 16-man Test squad on Wednesday for their end-of-year tour to South Africa.

Warwickshire player Bell, 22, produced a sparkling 70 on his debut in the fourth and final Test against West Indies at The Oval last week but lost out on selection to the more established Mark Butcher and Robert Key.

Butcher, a 32-year-old who has averaged just under 35 in 69 Tests, did not feature in the four-match series against West Indies following a succession of injuries.

SQUAD:

Michael Vaughan (captain), James Anderson, Gareth Batty, Mark Butcher, Paul Collingwood, Andrew Flintoff, Ashley Giles, Steve Harmison, Matthew Hoggard Geraint Jones, Simon Jones, Robert Key, Chris Read, Andrew Strauss, Graham Thorpe, Marcus Trescothick. -Agencies