Leicestershire batsman Aftab Habib and Nottinghamshire wicketkeeper Chris Read are included in the senior side for the first time.

Both are included in the 13-man squad and are expected to make their debuts with Habib strengthening the middle order ahead of Read, who takes over behind the stumps to allow deposed captain Alec Stewart to open the innings.

Somerset fast bowler Andy Caddick, who last played against West Indies 15 months ago, returns alongside maverick Middlesex left-arm spinner Phil Tufnell. Yorkshire fast bowler Chris Silverwood also returns to the England fold and has every chance of playing his first home Test having toured both Zimbabwe and West Indies.

Silverwood's participation depends on a recent knee injury, a complaint which also affects Alex Tudor but both are expected to recover andform part of a five-man pace battery with Caddick, Dean Headley and Alan Mullally who will work with specialist bowling coach Bob Cottam at Edgbaston on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The Team: Mark Butcher (Surrey, age 26, Tests 19), Alec Stewart (Surrey, 36, 86), Nasser Hussain (Essex, captain, 31, 39), Graham Thorpe (Surrey, 29, 53), Mark Ramprakash (Middlesex, 29, 34), Aftab Habib (Leicestershire, 27, 0), Chris Read (Nottinghamshire, wicketkeeper, 20, 0), Andy Caddick (Somerset, 30, 21), Alan Mullally (Leicestershire, 29, 13), Alex Tudor (Surrey, 21, 2), Phil Tufnell (Middlesex, 33, 34), Chris Silverwood (Yorkshire, 24, 1), Dean Headley (Kent, 29, 13).