LONDON, July 26: England batsman Mark Butcher has been ruled out of the second Test against West Indies at Edgbaston after aggravating a thigh injury. The 31-year-old left-hander missed the first Test at Lord's because of a neck strain.

In Butcher's absence, Robert Key retains his place in the side after making the most of his opportunity at Lord's with a commanding 221 in the first innings. Key, 25, has played nine Tests since making his debut in 2002. England have named a squad of 12 players for the second Test, which starts on Thursday.

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