Michael Vaughan has been left out of the England squad for next week's First Test against West Indies along with fellow 2005 Ashes winners Ian Bell and Steve Harmison.

The selectors resisted the temptation to go back to the former captain, choosing instead to hand the No3 spot to Essex batsman Ravi Bopara, as well as giving chances to two uncapped players, Yorkshire all-rounder Tim Bresnan and Durham fast bowler Graham Onions.

Owais Shah did not do enough in three Tests in the Caribbean to retain his place for the match at Lord's, which starts on 6 May, while Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar will contest the spinner's role.

Vaughan has scored only 56 runs in three innings in four-day cricket this season and national selector Geoff Miller said: “We need to see Michael score more runs at county level.

“Ian Bell has had a tremendous start by scoring two hundreds for Warwickshire but we want to see him get even more passionate about being in the team, so when he gets back in, he doesn't lose his place again. But Michael and Ian are in our thoughts, as is Steve. Ravi did well in the winter and I think he will bat at No3.”

Bopara has been in fine form in the Indian Premier League and was also unlucky to be dropped in the West Indies after scoring a ton as England opted for five bowlers in the last Test.

Miller claimed that the inclusion of Bresnan and Onions should give heart to county players. He added: “England have been accused of being a closed shop but this shows the county sides that we're not.”