'Fragile' Tudor is sent back to school

Darren Gough, battling to recover from a third knee operation this summer, heads a 'quickie' list including Andrew Caddick, Matthew Hoggard and this summer's two new boys, Simon Jones and Steve Harmison.

Tudor, who was widely expected to make the squad, has to make do with a place among the Academy hopefuls based in Australia during the winter.

Earlier this season, he was on top of the world after taking seven wickets during a Test against Sri Lanka at Old Trafford and being named man of the match.

But now, following a lukewarm performance at The Oval when the series with India drifted to a draw, Tudor has been deemed surplus to requirements.

It is still possible he could find himself on Ashes duty. Gough, for example, is by no means certain to start - never mind last - a three-month tour of Australia.

But Tudor cannot even consider himself first reserve. Lancashire's highlypromising and decidedly quick James Anderson has also been called up for the Academy and could easily challenge for a Test place if injuries create one.

"Alex has been included in the National Academy squad rather than the Test squad because we have concerns about his strength and stamina and want him to concentrate on these areas this winter," said chairman of selectors David Graveney.

Apart from Tudor's omission, there are no surprises in today's squad. The recall of Essex wicketkeeper James Foster will cause a stir in some parts of the country. He has appeared in only two Championship matches so far this summer because of a broken forearm and a broken thumb.

But, unlike last winter when Stewart was absent for the tours of India and New Zealand, Foster will be England's No2 this time and should learn plenty from watching and working with one of cricket's great enthusiasts.

Yorkshire's Richard Dawson is the second spinner to Ashley Giles after impressing this summer.

There was some speculation about the spare batting place with men like Nick Knight, Robert Key and Mark Ramprakash mentioned as possibles.

But, despite the fact he has had two poor tours of Australia, John Crawley retains the selectors' faith after deputising for Thorpe this summer.

As for Thorpe, surely no one will argue that he weakens England's squad in terms of his ability.

The unanswered question, of course, is whether he's now emotionally strong enough to deal with being away from home for a long period if there are more problems in his personal life.

As for the Academy party, young Warwickshire batsman Ian Bell, who has struggled with a stress fracture of his back this summer, is the one glaring omission. James Troughton, Bell's team-mate and another highly-rated batsman, does make the Academy 15, along with exciting Surrey all-rounder Rikki Clarke.

England Academy: Kabir Ali (Worcs), James Anderson (Lancs), Gareth Batty (Worcs), Ian Blackwell (Somerset), Rikki Clarke (Surrey), Kyle Hogg (Lancs), Gordon Muchall (Durham), Monty Panesar (Northants), Chris Read (Notts), Darren Stevens (Leics), Chris Tremlett (Hants), James Troughton (Warwicks), Alex Tudor (Surrey), Graham Wagg (Warwicks), Mark Wallace (Glam).