Veteran Stewart returns to England squad

England recalled 39-year-old wicketkeeper Alec Stewart to their squad on Saturday for the first Test against Sri Lanka as one of the four experienced names to return from the wilderness.

Stewart, got his chance after first-choice Jamie Foster, broke his arm while batting in the nets last week.

Pace bowler Alex Tudor, seamer Dominic Cork and John Crawley also returned to the 13-man group as the selectors ignored the claims of younger players.

England chief of selectors David Graveney said: "Alec is a proven performer and is in good form. I'm sure he's keen to prove he has an international future."

Before Foster's injury, skipper Nasser Hussain had suggested that Stewart would have to limit his ambitions to the one-day side after not receiving an England central contract.

Stewart last played in the 2001 Ashes series but was replaced after opting not to tour India at the turn of the year.

Crawley, aged 30 like Cork, returned after more than three years on the sidelines. He won his 29th cap for England against Australia at the start of 1999.

He has rediscovered his form at county level this season after moving to Hampshire following an acrimonious split with Lancashire. He scored 272 on his debut for his new county last month against Kent.

Cork has played 34 Tests but only featured in one Ashes match last season, having lost his ability to bowl his outswinger.

Pace bowler Darren Gough, who would have been an automatic choice, was ruled out after struggling with knee problems.

The first of the three-Test series starts at Lord's on Thursday.

Squad:

Nasser Hussain (captain), Marcus Trescothick, Michael Vaughan, Mark Butcher, Graham Thorpe, John Crawley, Alec Stewart, Andrew Flintoff, Dominic Cork, Ashley Giles, Andy Caddick, Matthew Hoggard, Alex Tudor.

Mail Cricket Editor