Bresnan in Test squad for Sri Lanka series

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Tim Bresnan leaves the field after playing an instrumental part in England's win over India

The England selectors today named Tim Bresnan in the England Test squad for the forthcoming series against Sri Lanka. England will play two three-day games in preparation for the two Test series against Sri Lanka beginning on 26 March.

The 16-man squad includes Kent off-spinner James Tredwell who has played one previous Test for England in 2010, and Nottinghamshire all-rounder Samit Patel who is uncapped at Test level.

While the main squad will depart for Sri Lanka on 10 March, seven members of the squad will travel to Sri Lanka ahead of the main touring party to acclimatise and begin preparations for the Test series. England batting coach Graham Gooch will lead the training camp involving Andrew Strauss, Ian Bell, Steven Davies, Monty Panesar, Samit Patel, Matt Prior and James Tredwell.

National Selector, Geoff Miller, said: “We have selected a squad that we feel will be able to make best use of the conditions we are likely to encounter in Sri Lanka. There is no doubt that this Test series will be a challenging one but it is exciting that players have an opportunity to demonstrate that they have learnt from the disappointment of the Pakistan Test series and can make further strides in developing the skills needed to succeed on the subcontinent.”

England Test squad

Andrew Strauss (Captain) (Middlesex), James Anderson (Lancashire), Ian Bell (Warwickshire), Ravi Bopara (Essex), Tim Bresnan (Yorkshire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Alastair Cook (Essex), Steven Davies (Surrey), Steven Finn (Middlesex), Monty Panesar (Sussex), Samit Patel (Nottinghamshire), Kevin Pietersen (Surrey), Matt Prior (Sussex), Graeme Swann (Nottinghamshire), James Tredwell (Kent), Jonathan Trott (Warwickshire)