England calls up Trott for final Ashes Test

London:

Jonathan Trott will make his Test debut for England after being called up to the squad for the fifth and deciding Ashes game against Australia.

The 28-year-old South Africa-born Warwickshire batsman was named in a squad of 14 on Sunday with the two teams level at 1-1 going into the match at The Oval starting on Thursday.

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The selectors have dropped out-of-form Ravi Bopara after England lost the fourth Test by an innings and 80 runs at Headingley.

All-rounder Andrew Flintoff was included in the squad and is expected to return after missing Headingley with a knee injury.

England kept faith with Ian Bell, who is expected to bat at No. 3 in place of Bopara, and chose Trott ahead of the more experienced Robert Key and veteran Mark Ramprakash, who has been in top form for Surrey in county cricket but hasn't played for England for seven years.

Monty Panesar, who played a dramatic role in the first Test, was brought into the squad but Graeme Swann is likely to be preferred as spinner, while paceman Graham Onions is likely to make way for Flintoff.

"Ravi Bopara has been going through a tough time with the bat in this series and we have decided to leave him out of the squad for this game," said chairman of selectors Geoff Miller. "He will be extremely disappointed but remains very much part of our plans for the future and I am sure that he has the talent and temperament to regain his place in the side.

"Ravi's omission means Jonathan Trott will make his Test debut. Having been part of the squad at Headingley, he was the next batsman in line in our view and this rewards him for the excellent form he has shown in county cricket both this summer and with England Lions over the winter."

Miller said that both Flintoff and paceman James Anderson had improved after their injuries and were expected to be fit for the final Test.

Squad: Andrew Strauss (captain), Alastair Cook, Ian Bell, Jonathan Trott, Paul Collingwood, Matt Prior, Andrew Flintoff, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, Steve Harmison, James Anderson, Ryan Sidebottom, Graham Onions, Monty Panesar.