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Cricket

Strauss returns to England lineup as Ambrose makes debut

04/03/2008

Andrew Strauss has been named at number three in England's batting lineup for the first Test against New Zealand in Hamilton later today.

The Middlesex batsman impressed the selectors in the final warm-up match in Dunedin last week as he struck an unbeaten century against a strong Select XI.

Strauss has been in New Zealand throughout their summer cricket season, playing for provincial side Northern Knights in a bid to find form and get used to the local conditions ahead of the England tour.

Middle-order man Ian Bell also made a timely contribution with a century of his own in the second innings of the match and is named at number five.

In the bowling ranks, Ryan Sidebottom has returned from a hamstring injury to take his place alongside Steve Harmison, who took 5-100 in last week's match.

Matthew Hoggard joins them as the third seamer, with Monty Panesar named as the spinner.

Tim Ambrose has been chosen as the wicketkeeper to make his first start for England ahead of Phil Mustard, who broke his nose in training yesterday but was likely to miss out on the first XI regardless.

And captain Michael Vaughan will open the batting alongside Alastair Cook.

Full England XI for first Test against New Zealand:

MP Vaughan (Yorkshire, captain), AN Cook (Essex), AJ Strauss (Middlesex), KP Pietersen (Hampshire), IR Bell (Warwickshire), PD Collingwood (Durham), TR Ambrose (Warwickshire, wicketkeeper), RJ Sidebottom (Nottinghamshire), MJ Hoggard (Yorkshire), SJ Harmison (Durham), MS Panesar (Northamptonshire).