Tudor included in England academy squad

Alex Tudor, whose omission from England's 16-man Ashes squad was described as a "close call" by England's chairman of selectors, is included in England's winter academy squad.

Tudor, 24, was man of the match in the win over Sri Lanka at Old Trafford, but since then he has suffered shin splints and he looked below par in the last two Tests of the series against India.

Alex Tudor: looking to build on previous success this winter at the Academy Photo © ECC

"Alex Tudor has been included in the academy squad rather than the Test squad because we have concerns about his strength and stamina and want him to concentrate on these areas this winter," said Graveney.

There is also a berth in the 15-man academy squad for Lancashire's 20-year-old pace bowler Jimmy Anderson, who has taken 44 first-class wickets in 10 matches this season. But Warwickshire's Ian Bell, widely tipped as a likely England selection at the start of the summer, misses out with a back injury.

"Following discussions with both Warwickshire and Rod Marsh, Ian Bell has not been included in the academy squad to go to Australia," Graveney said. "He has a stress fracture of the back and it is felt that he needs a rest after a long period of continuous cricket.

"However, we will consider including Ian on the trip to Sri Lanka in the New Year provided he makes a satisfactory recovery from injury," he added.

Academy squad: K Ali (Worcs), J Anderson (Lancs), G Batty (Worcs), I Blackwell (Somerset), R Clarke (Surrey), K Hogg (Lancs), G Muchall (Durham), M Panesar (Northants), C Read (Notts), D Stevens (Leics), C Tremlett (Hants), J Troughton (Warwicks), A Tudor (Surrey), G Wagg (Warwicks), M Wallace (Glam).