Shaun Udal has earned a surprise call-up to England's initial 30-man squad for the ICC World Twenty20 tournament in June. The Middlesex captain turned 40 three weeks ago, and has not played for his country since his off-spin helped them beat India in the Third Test in Mumbai in March 2006.

Yet in a World Twenty20 party which includes five players who have never played international cricket, and whose captain has yet to be decided following the omission of Andrew Strauss, the England selectors have decided that Udal's experience might enhance their chances of succeeding India as Twenty20 world champions.

It is a remarkable return to the biggest stage for Udal, who believed his first-class career was over at the end of the 2007 season when he left Hampshire and agreed to become the professional for minor counties side Berkshire.

But he was subsequently offered a two-year deal with Middlesex and his elevation to the international squad is reward for leading the county to victory over Kent in last season's domestic Twenty20 final at Lord's.

Along with that of Udal, the most eye-catching decision by the selectors was to call up Samit Patel. Only one month ago, the Nottinghamshire all-rounder was dropped from the England one-day squad for the series against the West Indies because he wasn't fit enough.

Now, however, the 24-year-old has earned an immediate reprieve, with national selector Geoff Miller revealing: “We have spoken to Samit on two or three occasions, and he has gone away and disciplined himself.

“Having a high level of fitness is a key part of being an international cricketer, and he is now in a position to improve the level he had previously.

“He has addressed certain areas of what we asked him to look at, and he is in the process of addressing them further. We believe he is a part of a good squad, with a good blend.”

As well as bringing in Udal and Patel, England may also choose to call on uncapped quintet Joe Denly, Eoin Morgan, Graham Napier, Adil Rashid and Chris Woakes. The selectors will cut the squad down to 15 at the start of next month and will also pick a skipper following Strauss's omission.

That decision will be made once England have appointed their new team director and although Kent skipper Rob Key and Hampshire all-rounder Dimitri Mascarenhas are the leading contenders, the selectors have not ruled out a shock return for Andrew Flintoff.

The talismanic all-rounder has not led his country since their humiliating 5-0 Ashes whitewash 2006-07, and was also heavily criticised for the infamous “Fredalo” incident during the 2007 World Cup, which saw him stripped of the England vice-captaincy.

Yet national selector Geoff Miller said: “We will certainly discuss Andrew Flintoff. The options are there for us, and he is one of those options. We have to make sure we have the best captain and the best side.”

Explaining Strauss's omission from the squad, ECB managing director Hugh Morris said: “Andrew felt it was best if he continued in the roles which he has performed so well. It was very much a joint decision.”