Offspinner Graeme Swann and allrounder Tim Bresnan will return in England’s opening Test against New Zealand at Lord’s, starting on Thursday.
England selectors have named a 12-man squad, with Swann and Bresnan making a timely international return before the Ashes after five-month absences due to elbow operations.
With Kevin Pietersen sidelined for the entire series due to a knee injury, young batsman Joe Root has retained his place in the squad and could play his first Test on home soil.
The rest of captain Alastair Cook’s squad, announced by the England and Wales Cricket Board on Saturday, was predictable.
Swann replaces left-arm spinner Monty Panesar and Bresnan comes in for back-up seamer Graham Onions.
“Both Graeme Swann and Tim Bresnan have worked hard to regain fitness following elbow surgery and have demonstrated through their performances for their counties that they are ready for the challenge of international cricket,” chief selector Geoff Miller said.
The pair last played for England in the drawn fourth Test in the 2-1 series victory against India in December.
Both then underwent operations and missed the drawn three-Test tour of New Zealand in March before making their comebacks in county cricket this season.
England squad for Lord’s first Test: Alastair Cook (capt), Nick Compton, Jonathan Trott, Ian Bell, Joe Root, Jonathan Bairstow, Matt Prior, Graeme Swann, Stuart Broad, James Anderson, Steven Finn, Tim Bresnan.