Dawson and Foster called up for England tour

England handed Richard Dawson and James Foster their first international cricket caps today when the test squads were named to tour India and New Zealand.

Nasser Hussain captains the test team and the one–day squad to tour Zimbabwe next month, which was also named.

Wicketkeeper Alec Stewart and fast bowler Darren Gough were not included in any squad because of their unwillingness to tour India before Christmas.

Dawson, who helped Yorkshire secure its first county cricket championship in 33 years this season, is one of three spinners included, along with Robert Croft and Ashley Giles.

With Stewart out, Foster, who plays for Essex, and Lancashire's Warren Hegg were named as wicketkeepers. Hegg earned a recall after playing two tests on the Ashes tour to Australia two years ago.

"James Foster performed well on the A tour to the Caribbean last winter and is an outstanding prospect who is also being fast–tracked by Essex to be a viable wicketkeeper–batsman at the highest level," chairman of selectors, David Graveney said.

"Richard Dawson has played a key role in Yorkshire's championship–winning side this summer and we are also excited by his potential."

Giles was a surprise choice in the 16–man squad. The left arm spinner has only played one test over the English summer because of a long standing Achilles injury.

"Ashley's been included in the squad subject to him satisfying the selectors of his fitness ahead of the tour departure," Graveney said.

Former captain Michael Atherton confirmed his retirement from international cricket; it was the first time in more than 10 years that he was not named in an England team.

England play three tests and five one day internationals in India, with the tour starting on 18 November. England tour New Zealand in February next year.

The 16–man squad for the five match one–day tour of Zimbabwe starting on 3 October features six new faces – Foster, Hoggard, James Kirtley, Jimmy Ormond, Ryan Sidebottom and Jeremy Snape.

"The selectors intend to use this squad to explore various options – there are a number of senior players who have been left out but they will remain part of the thinking for the next World Cup," Graveney said.

The first National Academy development squad was also named Tuesday. The surprise inclusion was Surrey's Alex Tudor, who played two Ashes tests this summer.

England test squad:

Nasser Hussain, captain (Essex), Marcus Trescothick (Surrey), Mark Butcher (Surrey), Graham Thorpe (Surrey), Mark Ramprakash (Surrey), Usman Afzaal (Nottinghamshire), Michael Vaughan (Yorkshire), Warren Hegg (Lancashire), James Foster (Essex), Craig White (Yorkshire), Ashley Giles (Warwickshire), Robert Croft (Glamorgan), Richard Dawson (Yorkshire), Andy Caddick (Somerset), Jimmy Ormond (Leicestershire), Matthew Hoggard (Yorkshire).

England one–day squad:

Nasser Hussain, captain (Essex), Paul Collingwood (Durham), Andrew Flintoff (Lancashire), James Foster (Essex), Adrian Grayson (Essex), Matthew Hoggard (Yorkshire), Ben Hollioake (Surrey), James Kirtley (Sussex), Nick Knight (Warwickshire), Jimmy Ormond (Leicestershire), Mark Ramprakash (Surrey), Owais Shah (Middlesex), Ryan Sidebottom (Yorkshire), Jeremy Snape (Gloucestershire), Mark Trescothick (Somerset), Craig White (Yorkshire).