Udal earns recall for Pakistan tour

England have recalled Shaun Udal for the tour of Pakistan after a break of 10 years in his international career. Alex Loudon has also been selected for the Test leg of the tour after impressing for Warwickshire with his offspin, and the ability to bowl a ball which spins the other way. Liam Plunkett, the young Durham quick bowler, is included in the one-day squad but Darren Gough has been left out on his own request.

All 12 players who featured during the Ashes series are unsurprisingly selected with James Anderson also travelling, although he has lost his central contract. Chris Tremlett, who was in the England squads for the first four Tests against Australia, is in both squads and Matt Prior is the reserve keeper ahead of Chris Read.

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

"Without wishing to be too blunt, regrettably their performances during the summer have probably been disappointing for them. Shaun, by far, is the performing bowler at the present time.

"Loudon and Plunkett are two emerging players who have been included in the Test and one-day squads respectively. This is an excellent opportunity for them and we feel they will both benefit from working with Troy Cooley and learning more about the international environment.

"Simon Jones has been included in both squads subject to fitness. He made an enormous contribution to our Ashes victory and we will continue to monitor his recovery from injury in close consultation with the medical team.

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

"Gough asked the selectors not to consider him for the one-day squad's tour to Pakistan this winter. Darren would like to make clear that he has not decided to retire from one-day International cricket and the selectors fully understand his reasons for making himself unavailable to tour."

Darren Gough said: "I have played a lot of cricket over the last 12 months and I feel that a rest would be beneficial for me at this stage of my career. I have toured regularly with England over the past ten years and this decision will also give me an opportunity to spend more time with my children."

The Academy squad is a mixture of youngsters and established county players. Steven Davies, the Worcestershire wicketkeeper, and Mark Footitt, a left arm seamer from Nottinghamshire represent the youth while Owais Shah, Robert Key and Ed Joyce are rewarded for prolific domestic seasons. Read is offered the chance to keep his name in the frame while Plunkett will also spend time at the Academy.

England squad Michael Vaughan (capt), James Anderson, Ian Bell, Paul Collingwood, Andrew Flintoff, Ashley Giles, Steve Harmison, Matthew Hoggard, Geraint Jones, Simon Jones, Alex Loudon, Kevin Pietersen, Matt Prior, Andrew Strauss, Chris Tremlett, Marcus Trescothick, Shaun Udal.

England one-day squad Michael Vaughan (capt), James Anderson, Paul Collingwood, Andrew Flintoff, Ashley Giles, Steve Harmison, Geraint Jones, Simon Jones, Kevin Pietersen, Matt Prior, Liam Plunkett, Vikram Solanki, Andrew Strauss, Chris Tremlett, Marcus Trescothick

National Academy Squad Gareth Batty, Ravi Bopara, Stuart Broad, Rikki Clarke, Alastair Cook, James Dalrymple, Steven Davies, Mark Footitt, Ed Joyce, Robert Key, Sajid Mahmood, Liam Plunkett, Chris Read, Owais Shah, Tom Smith, Luke Wright, Mike Yardy