Thursday 5 June 2014 14:42, UK
England have named three uncapped players in their 12-man squad for next week's first Test against Sri Lanka at Lord's.
Batsman Sam Robson, bowler Chris Jordan and all-rounder Moeen Ali come in but there is no place for in-form wicket-keeper Jos Buttler.
Instead, England have kept faith with Matt Prior who proved his fitness behind the stumps playing for Sussex in the County Championship over the last few days.
Also in the squad is experienced bowler Liam Plunkett who could make his first Test appearance for seven years - his 10th for England.
Coach Peter Moores and his fellow selectors have made six changes from the side that faced Australia in the fifth and final Ashes Test during the winter.
As for the newcomers, 24-year-old Robson has never played international cricket at senior level, while Jordan, 25, has represented England in 13 ODIs and seven T20 matches since making his debut last September.
Ali, meanwhile, made his ODI and T20 debuts earlier this year against West Indies.
National selector, James Whitaker, said: "We believe that this group of emerging talent will be very well complimented by the established core of experienced players that have been selected."
Worcestershire all-rounder Ali is eager to capitalise on the knowledge and insight imparted by Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal, after being named in the squad.
The left-handed Ali has made 371 Division Two runs in five innings at an impressive average of 74.20, and taken seven key wickets, while the prolific Ajmal has raced through 29 victims, including a haul of 13 for 94 against Essex recently.
"Saeed is always giving me tips. He has done it at the top level. He has been through it already so that gives me a confidence boost. Saeed also helped me a lot the first time he was here in 2011 with my bowling and as a cricketer."
The first Test starts next Thursday, while the second and final match takes place at Headingley beginning on Friday, June 20.
Squad: Alastair Cook (Essex) (Capt), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), James Anderson (Lancashire), Gary Ballance (Yorkshire), Ian Bell (Warwickshire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Chris Jordan (Sussex), Liam Plunkett (Yorkshire), Matt Prior (Sussex), Sam Robson (Middlesex), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire)
