Flintoff and Bell picked for third Test

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The enforced absence of the injured Kevin Pietersen is the only change from the initial squad announced for the second Test at Lord's last week.

Warwickshire batsman Bell will be the like-for-like replacement in the final XI for the injured Pietersen, who has been ruled out of the series after Achilles surgery. As expected, England have chosen not to select any extra batting cover.

Durham fast bowler Stephen Harmison and Northamptonshire spinner Monty Panesar join the other players who featured in England's 115-run win over Australia at Lord's.

England and Wales Cricket Board national selector Geoff Miller explained: "The performance of the team at Lord's was outstanding, and a convincing win was well deserved.

"We have obviously had to make a change to the side following Kevin Pietersen's unavailability - and we wish Kevin the best with his rehabilitation and look forward to his return to the England team in due course."

The continued inclusion of Bell was an obvious reaction to Pietersen's absence for the remainder of the summer, and England have contingency plans for a batting replacement should injury strike any of their top six before the Test. Miller added: "Kevin's injury has presented an opportunity for Ian Bell, who we know is a top-class batsmen with an excellent international record for England.

"Ian will be looking to make the most of his return to the side during an Ashes series. Although we haven't named any extra batting cover in the squad, we have several options should the need arise to call in another batsmen."

England's squad for the third npower Ashes Test against Australia, which starts at Edgbaston on Thursday:

AJ Strauss (Middlesex, capt) Age 32 Tests 63, AN Cook (Essex) 24 45, RS Bopara (Essex) 24 8, PD Collingwood (Durham) 33 50, MJ Prior (Sussex, wkt) 27 20, A Flintoff (Lancashire) 31 76, SCJ Broad (Notinghamshire) 23 19, GP Swann (Nottinghamshire) 30 9, JM Anderson (Lancashire) 26 39, MS Panesar (Northamptonshire) 27 39, IR Bell (Warwickshire) 27 47, G Onions (Durham) 26 3, SJ Harmison (Durham) 30 60.