Eighth Test recall for Hick; Atherton back

Chairman of selectors David Graveney left his batsmen in no doubt that time was running out for them to perform.

It was Hick’s eighth return to the fold in an international career stretching back to 1991. He comes in as a replacement for Leicestershire’s Aftab Habib, who has failed to impress in the opening two Tests.

Off-spinner Peter Such, overlooked after claiming 11 wickets in the final two Tests of the Ashes series, has been brought back into the fold as a possible partner for Phil Tufnell on an Old Trafford wicket which is expected to turn. “With ourobservers, coaches, umpires and players, everybody we speak to has a strong vote for these players as the best seven batsmen in the country, but now is the time they have to deliver,” warned Graveney.

Team: Nasser Hussain (capt), Mark Butcher, Mike Atherton, Alec Stewart, Graham Thorpe, Mark Ramprakash, Graeme Hick, Chris Read, Andy Caddick, Alan Mullally, Peter Such, Chris Silverwood, Dean Headley, Phil Tufnell.