Wright handed pinch-hitter role

The Sussex all-rounder has been chosen as the new opening partner for the more composed Alastair Cook following the decision to drop wicketkeeper Phil Mustard for NatWest Twenty20 matches and five one-day internationals which follow against the tourists.

"Luke will be opening for us because every time he's been given the opportunity and had to step up to the plate in a big match he's done well," explained national selector Geoff Miller.

"We're aware we need to take advantage of the fielding restrictions and we believe Luke is the exciting type of cricketer to do well in that position.

"Whether he is playing for Sussex or England, he seems to like the big occasion and there are big possibilities for him if he continues developing."

Wright's biggest successes for England have so far been down the order - he got a duck the only previous time he opened in a one-day international - but the selectors are convinced he can provide the impetus during the early part of the innings.

While Wright can look forward to the start of the one-day series, which begins with the Twenty20 international at Old Trafford on June 13, Warwickshire's Tim Ambrose now has the opportunity to establish himself as the number wicketkeeper in all forms of cricket.

But to do that he must first get on the field next week in the final npower Test at Trent Bridge, which has not been the most successful of grounds for him in the past.

"Trent Bridge has been a bit of a jinx ground for me," revealed Ambrose, who is expected to be named in an unchanged Test squad. "I haven't actually played a first-class match there because every season we've had a game there I've had to pull out with a niggle.

"I think that's happened three times to me, but hopefully that's not an omen for anything to happen to me before next Thursday."