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The 12 players who won the Ashes back this summer form the bulk of the squad, with Udal one of the four uncapped players in the touring party.

The 36-year-old, who captained Hampshire to Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy success this season, saw off competition from Gareth Batty for the position as Ashley Giles' understudy.

Uncapped Warwickshire all-rounder Alex Loudon is the third spinner in the party, for a tour where the conditions may force England to play with two slow bowlers.

Sussex wicketkeeper Matt Prior surprisingly got the nod ahead of Nottinghamshire's Chris Read as Geraint Jones' deputy.

Hampshire seamer Chris Tremlett, who was England's 12th man for much of the summer, is the final uncapped player in the squad.

Tremlett and Lancashire's James Anderson will provide cover for England's pace attack, with Simon Jones' participation in the tour still not certain.

Explaining the make up of the squad, chairman of selectors David Graveney said: "In choosing our Test squad, the area that involved the most discussion was the choice of spin bowlers.

"Shaun Udal is an experienced spinner and based on his performances this summer we felt he merited inclusion ahead of other candidates such as Gareth Batty, Richard Dawson and Graeme Swann.

"With regard to the wicket-keeping position, the selectors were aware of the credentials of Chris Read, Matt Prior and James Foster.

"Matt Prior has been a part of the one-day squad before and we feel that he is the best candidate to understudy Geraint Jones on this tour.

Test squad: M Vaughan (capt), A Strauss, M Trescothick, I Bell, K Pietersen, A Flintoff, G Jones (wkt), A Giles, A Loudon, S Udal, S Harmison, S Jones, M Hoggard, P Collingwood, M Prior (wkt), C Tremlett, J Anderson.