Vaughan left out of Ashes training squad

LONDON - Michael Vaughan, who captained England as it won the Ashes in 2005, was left out of the training squad on Monday to prepare for the series with Australia that starts next month.

The 34-year-old batsman has not played for England since resigning the captaincy last August. He has recently had a recurrence of problems to his right knee.

"Vaughan will, of course, be disappointed not to have been included," national selector Geoff Miller said. "But I met with Michael recently and he understands that he needs to make runs consistently in county cricket if he is to force his way back into the squad."

Fast bowler Steve Harmison, who featured in the 2005 win, was also omitted from the 16-man squad. Instead, the selectors have opted for Graham Onions and Ryan Sidebottom as backup to first-choice seamers James Anderson and Stuart Broad.

Allrounder Andrew Flintoff, who is fit after knee surgery, and Sidebottom both return to the squad after missing the recent test series against the West Indies. Tim Bresnan is in the squad as cover for Flintoff.

There are three slow bowlers in the squad: offspiner Graeme Swann, legspinner Adil Rashid and left-arm tweaker Monty Panesar.

The five-test series against Australia begins July 8 in Cardiff, Wales.

England also announced a team to take on Warwickshire in a three-day warmup match at Edgbaston from July 1.

England training squad
Andrew Strauss (captain), James Anderson, Ian Bell, Ravi Bopara, Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Paul Collingwood, Alastair Cook, Andrew Flintoff, Graham Onions, Monty Panesar, Kevin Pietersen, Matt Prior, Adil Rashid, Ryan Sidebottom, Graeme Swann.

Team vs. Warwickshire: Andrew Strauss (captain), James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Ravi Bopara, Paul Collingwood, Alastair Cook, Andrew Flintoff, Monty Panesar, Kevin Pietersen, Matt Prior, Graeme Swann.