Batty released by England

Gareth Batty, the Worcestershire offspinner, has been released from the England squad for the third npower Test against West Indies at Old Trafford, which starts on Thursday (August 12). Batty's omission follows a weighing-up of England's options, at the one English venue where spin has been playing a major part this season. In the end, however, it was decided to entrust all spin duties to Ashley Giles, whose resurgent form has carried him into the world top 10.

Batty, 26, played in five Tests last winter, taking 10 wickets at 68.90, but he has yet to feature in a home game. His form this season, however, has been impressive, with 41 first-class wickets at 26.21. And to cap it all, only last week he scored his maiden hundred, 133, against his former county Surrey.

With the squad pared down to 12, it is a straight choice between the two quick bowlers - James Anderson, whose match at Edgbaston was his first outing since December, and Simon Jones, whose ability to reverse-swing the ball could come in useful on a dry pitch. Anderson is, however, the local boy, so his omission would upset the Lancashire faithful.

England squad for third Test
Marcus Trescothick, Andrew Strauss, Robert Key, Michael Vaughan (capt), Graham Thorpe, Andrew Flintoff, Geraint Jones (wk), Ashley Giles, Simon Jones, Matthew Hoggard, Stephen Harmison, James Anderson.