No surprises as England keep a winning squad

England Cricket / Editor / 03 June 2007 / Leave a Comment

Ryan Sidebottom has retained his England place and looks set for another opportunity to stake a claim as the top England wicket taker against West Indies in the Third Test.

But Andrew Flintoff and Matthew Hoggard are again out as England named an unchanged squad for the match at Old Trafford.

Lancashire all-rounder Flintoff was always going to miss out on featuring at his home ground after undergoing an exploratory ankle operation on Friday.

Yorkshire pace bowler, Hoggard, just missed out after failing to overcome a thigh problem so Sidebottom continues following his impressive haul of 8-86 in his first Test for six years at Headingley last week.

Sidebottom is Betfair's 2.62 joint favourite to finish the series with the most wickets of England's bowling attack.

The Nottinghamshire swing bowler has claimed one scalp more than spinner Monty Panesar, with seven wickets, who is the other joint favourite.

Durham duo Steve Harmison (5) and Liam Plunkett (11.5) have six wickets each at the halfway stage in the four Test series, while Hoggard (48) now looks to be out of the running.

Chairman of selectors David Graveney said of Hoggard: "Despite ongoing rehabilitation and assessment by both the ECB and Yorkshire medical teams, Matthew has unfortunately failed to fully recover.

"We're prepared to give him as long as he needs to ensure the injury does not become a longer-term problem. We are hopeful that with further rehabilitation he will come into calculations for the fourth Test in Durham."

The biggest doubt from the side which defeated the West Indies by innings in Leeds last week was Ian Bell, who suffered with a back spasm. However he has been passed fit and will line up in the batting order.

Paceman James Anderson has been put on standby to join the team on Wednesday in case of injury or illness.