Trott Confirmed For Oval Debut, Flintoff Return

London: Warwickshire's Jonathan Trott will make his Test debut in the Ashes decider at The Oval on Thursday, after being confirmed as Ravi Bopara's replacement in a 14-man squad for the crucial fifth Test.

Trott is expected to slot into the middle order, with his county team-mate, Ian Bell, promoted to No. 3. Monty Panesar also returns to the reckoning as a potential partner for Graeme Swann if England choose to go in with two spinners.

Andrew Flintoff stayed on course to make his farewell to Test cricket in next week's fifth and final match of the Ashes series at the Oval after being named in a 14-man squad on Sunday.

Trott, who saw off competition from the likes of Mark Ramprakash and Rob Key, is in line to replace Ravi Bopara after the out-of-form batsman was dropped from the squad completely.

"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 England national selector 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 at the Brit Oval," the former England off-spinner added.

Squad for 5th Test: Andrew Strauss (c), Alastair Cook, Ian Bell, Paul Collingwood, Jonathan Trott, Matt Prior (wk), Andrew Flintoff, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, James Anderson, Steve Harmison, Monty Panesar, Graham Onions, Ryan Sidebottom.

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