By Sam Hathaway
May 7 2006

England have decided to bring inexperienced seamers Jon Lewis and Sajid Mahmood into a 13 man squad ahead of the first test against Sri Lanka. They join Liam Plunkett as three of our main pace bowlers have been ruled out. Andrew Flintoff has been named as captain again with Michael Vaughan still out injured with a knee problem and Monty Panesar, who recently impressed for his county side, gets the nod ahead of spinner Shaun Udal.
Alastair Cook has been promised he will bat at three and Warickshire batsman Ian Bell is named as batting cover but will only play if England decide to go in with just four bowlers.
Panesar will also face a nervous wait to find out if he will take part or whether England will go for an all pace attack with Flintoff and Hoggard leading the way.

"It will be a dream come true if I get a chance - to play at Lord's in front of a home crowd will be fantastic," spoke the Northamptonshire left-armer.

"It depends on the conditions but I've been bowling with good rhythm. The wickets are not as dry so I've just tried to get the ball in the right areas.

"At Lord's some turn and some don't. If you get it in the right area they skid on so you just try to vary your pace and stay patient."

Lewis, the oldest man in the squad at 30, took nine wickets in England A's 10 wicket win over Sri Lanka. This was David Graveney's main reason for his selection.

"It is a great opportunity for the likes of Jon, Mahmood and Plunkett.

"The final decision on which seamers play will be down to Duncan Fletcher and Andrew Flintoff. The weather at this time of this year will also be a factor."