LONDON, July 18: England batsman Mark Butcher was included in a 13-man squad for the first Test against West Indies which starts at Lord's on Thursday. Butcher is expected to bat at number three after recovering from a thigh strain but Robert Key has also been included in the squad as cover.

All-rounder Andrew Flintoff will play and could return to the bowling line-up after only featuring as a specialist batsman in the recent triangular one-day series because of an ankle injury.

Paceman Simon Jones returns to the squad after missing the second and third Tests against New Zealand last month because of a foot injury. Matthew Hoggard, who took eight for 90 playing with Jones for the MCC in a three-day match against West Indies last week, is also included after a slight knee injury.

England recorded a historic 3-0 Test series win over West Indies in the Caribbean earlier this year, their first series victory there since 1968.

SQUAD: Michael Vaughan (captain), Marcus Trescothick, Mark Butcher, Robert Key, Andrew Strauss, Graham Thorpe, Andrew Flintoff, Geraint Jones, Ashley Giles, Simon Jones, Matthew Hoggard, Steve Harmison, James Anderson. -Reuters