England send for Croft

England have called up Robert Croft for the Test series against Sri Lanka. He will be the 16th member of the squad and gives England extra support in the spin department, alongside Ashley Giles and Gareth Batty.

England arrived in Sri Lanka with worries about their spin attack, with Giles low on confidence and Batty still in his early days. Hence calling for another spinner was always on the cards, and Croft was the automatic choice, especially as he took nine wickets during the 2001 series in Sri Lanka.

David Graveney, the chairman of selectors, said: "The selectors feel the need to have an extra spinner present in Sri Lanka as past history indicates that spin might have a bigger part to play than in Bangladesh.

"Ashley Giles and Gareth Batty were the original picked for the tour and they played their part in the success in Bangladesh. Selection for the first Test match in Galle will be based, as you would expect, on form and fitness."

Croft, who has played 21 Tests and taken 49 wickets, made no secret of his desire to play in Sri Lanka. "If I get selected, I'll be excited about the opportunity and go out there and give my best," he told the BBC Sport website.

"Like any professional sportsman, when you've tasted what it's like at the highest level, you always want it back. I enjoyed myself in Sri Lanka last time. It was tremendous to be in a winning environment."

The first of three Tests starts on December 2 at Galle.