Graeme Swann and Tim Bresnan were both recalled by England in a 12-man squad announced today for next week's first Test against New Zealand at Lord's following their respective recoveries from elbow surgery.
Off-spinner Swann and seamer Bresnan both last played Test cricket in the series-clinching win over India in Nagpur in December and missed the recent drawn three-Test series in New Zealand.
However, Nottinghamshire's Swann and Yorkshire's Bresnan have both since proved their fitness playing county cricket this season.
With star batsman Kevin Pietersen already ruled out because of knee trouble, there were few surprises in the squad announced by England national selector Geoff Miller.
The same six specialist batsmen who played in England's last Test -- the dramatic draw against New Zealand at Auckland two months ago where wicket-keeper Matt Prior's unbeaten hundred helped stave off defeat with just one wicket standing -- were included.
Swann, as widely predicted, replaced Monty Panesar as the only specialist spinner in the squad while England opted against naming an extra seamer, as they did when Durham's Graham Onions was included before last year's corresponding first Test of the English season, against the West Indies.
"Both Graeme Swann and Tim Bresnan have worked hard to regain fitness following elbow surgery and have demonstrated through their performances for their counties that they are ready for the challenge of international cricket," Miller said.
