Ashley Giles was also selected after breaking his left wrist in the build-up to the Adelaide Test over a month ago and has ousted off-spinner Jeremy Snape from the final squad.

Steve Harmison and James Anderson of Lancashire have also been included having only just made their debuts during the recent triangular competition in Australia, while James Kirtley and Owais Shah miss out despite being members of the one-day squad for the best part of a year.

"I'm satisfied that the players selected in this squad represent the best mix of experience and youth that England has available to it," said chairman of selectors David Graveney.

"The unavailability of several key players for various reasons over recent months has given us the opportunity to bring in a number of young players into our plans, several of these players have responded extremely well to the challenge and we have had no hesitation in including them in the squad.

"So far as Andrew Flintoff is concerned, I can tell you that he his making good progress in his rehabilitation work with Dave Roberts at Lancashire and has been bowling at around 90% pace in the nets whilst experiencing much less pain.

"The indications from the ECB Medical Officer are that Andrew will be fit and able to play a full part in the competition.

"Ashley Giles has been given the go-ahead from his specialist to begin training and bowled six overs in the nets over the weekend without suffering any pain or reaction - again I am satisfied that Ashley will be able to play a full role for England in the World Cup.

"We'll be looking to have both Andrew and Ashley to travel to Australia during the next few weeks to continue their rehabilitation and prove their fitness.

"As far as Craig White's injury is concerned, his recovery is in its early stages. Initial medical advice was that this injury would require three to six weeks to heal, Craig will be receiving intensive treatment with the aim of having him available for the Finals of the VB Series should England qualify."

England's 15-man squad for the World Cup:

N Hussain (Essex, capt), ME Trescothick (Somerset), NV Knight (Warwickshire), RC Irani (Essex), PD Collingwood (Durham), ID Blackwell (Somerset), AJ Stewart (Surrey, wkt), C White (Yorkshire), A Flintoff (Lancashire), MP Vaughan (Yorkshire), AF Giles (Warwickshire), AR Caddick (Somerset), JM Anderson (Lancashire), SJ Harmison (Durham), MJ Hoggard (Yorkshire).