Gough back for England

Darren Gough was today ushered back into Test cricket two years after last appearing for England in a white shirt.

Yorkshire paceman Gough, 32, was named in the 12-man party for the first npower Test against South Africa which starts at Edgbaston next Thursday having convinced the selectors he can get through a five-day match.

His stunning return to the one-day international scene this summer, after 18 months of knee injury misery and three major operations, earnt him the chance to add to his 56 caps, the last of which came in the final Test of the 2001 Ashes.

Chairman of selectors David Graveney said: "We looked at what we required for this first Test match, he did exceptionally well in the one-dayers and he is bowling in a game against Durham today.

"We feel we need his experience and quality to be part of our attack."

The four-man selection panel took advice from England and Wales Cricket Board chief medical officer Peter Gregory before naming Gough in what will be a five-pronged attack.

But another long-term absentee, Surrey's Graham Thorpe, will have to wait for a return after the selection committee stuck with Yorkshire captain Anthony McGrath in the middle order.

England coach Duncan Fletcher recently spoke to Thorpe, 34 in a fortnight, about his frame of mind following a turbulent year of personal problems which led to the left-handed batsman quitting all cricket temporarily last summer and reneging on a decision to tour Australia.

A clamour developed for Thorpe's return but McGrath struck half-centuries in his first two Test innings earlier this summer and has been given a chance to continue his international development.

"We are obviously pleased that Graham wants to commit himself to playing for England both home and abroad," Graveney told Radio 5 Live.

"But we felt in our discussions that we wanted to show consistency to Anthony McGrath who has done nothing wrong in the period of time he has played for England."

All-rounder Andrew Flintoff returns as expected, having missed the last eight Tests through injury, but Kent's Robert Key was left out after a poor trot of form this season.

Another change from the side that completed a 2-0 series win over Zimbabwe last month is the omission of Somerset seamer Richard Johnson.

Despite taking six wickets on his debut at Chester-le-Street, Johnson's groin injury has proved cause for concern so he will be instructed to play for his county next week with Sussex's James Kirtley taking his place in the squad.

"Richard Johnson was not considered for this match as he is still struggling with a groin injury and we have been advised by our medical staff that it would be best for him to play a county game to test his fitness before being included in a Test squad," added Graveney.