Even if it ain’t broke,fix it: Finn out,Monty in as England change winning squad for third Test

Pietersen will be given time to prove his fitness for the match,which starts at the Manchester venue on Thursday,with Nottinghamshire’s James Taylor added to the squad as cover. The South African born batsman,who has been sidelined for much of this year,suffered his latest fitness setback in England’s crushing 347-run second Test win at Lord’s last week and could not field in the second innings.

Taylor always looked the most likely candidate to be called up as cover after the ECB sought special dispensation for the diminutive batsman to guest for Sussex in their ongoing tour match against Australia at Hove. The 23-year-old went on to make an unbeaten 121 against Australia on the final day of three on Sunday as Sussex declared on 268 for seven,two runs ahead of the tourists’ first innings 366 for five declared.

Taylor played two Tests against South Africa last year but didn’t make the England squad for the tours of India and New Zealand,falling behind the likes of Nick Compton and Joe Root in the England pecking order.

However,he has been in good first-class form this season,scoring 824 runs in 15 County Championship appearances,including an unbeaten double century against Sussex in June.

home calling

Meanwhile,Panesar has been included in the squad alongside off-break bowler Graeme Swann on account of Old Trafford’s reputation for providing spin-friendly pitches. Sussex bowler Panesar last played a home Test four years ago when he held out with the bat to help guide England to a draw in the 2009 Ashes opener at Cardiff but has featured nine times abroad in recent years. Panesar took three wickets for 70 runs in 24.4 overs in Australia’s first innings at Hove.

England squad: Alastair Cook (captain),Joe Root,Jonathan Trott,Kevin Pietersen,Ian Bell,Jonny Bairstow,Matt Prior (wkt),Tim Bresnan,Stuart Broad,Graeme Swann,James Anderson,James Taylor,Chris Tremlett,Monty Panesar.

Taylor celebrates England call-up with a ton

hove: James Taylor celebrated call-up to the England squad with an unbeaten 121 as Sussex managed to nudge past Australia’s total of 366 and take a two run lead. Taylor’s century served a reminder to the England selectors and more importantly,to the Australians,of the depth that England currently possess in their ranks.

Even as Australia’s starters Usman Khawaja and Phil Hughes lost out on some batting practice,Ed Cowan helped himself to 77 not out. James Taylor,though scratchy at the beginning,bolstered his confidence by piling up the runs before he travelled to Old Trafford where he will learn whether he will play in the third Ashes Test there.

Sussex finished with 368 for 7 in their allotted 100 overs. Jackson Bird was Australia’s standout bowler,who troubled all the Sussex batsman with his line and length,finished with 2/62 from his 20 overs. The match ended in a draw. — Agencies

Brief scores: Australia 366/5 decl in 94.4 overs & 152/2 decl (E Cowan 77*,P Hughes 38,L Hatchett 2/28); Sussex 1st innings 368/7 in 100 overs (J Taylor 121*,R Hamilton-Brown 73; M Starc 2/43,J Bird 2/62).