Vaughan Heads Up New Zealand Test Squad

The England selectors named two 16-man squads for the forthcoming One Day International and Test series in New Zealand, with Michael Vaughn once again captaining the Test squad.

Andrew Strauss and Tim Ambrose have also been included the Test squad, but there is no place for Matt Prior.

Despite averaging over 40 in Sri Lanka, the Sussex wicketkeeper has been sensationally dropped from both the Test and one-day picture.

In his place comes his former county colleague Ambrose, who enjoyed an excellent domestic season for Warwickshire and was also part of England's Performance Programme squad.

Batsman Andrew Strauss has been recalled to the Test squad and will join up with the tour party in New Zealand after playing for Northern Knights in the State Shield and Twenty20 competitions.

It is not yet clear whether Strauss' return to the fold will see him back as an opening batsman. Captain Michael Vaughan moved to the top of the order in Sri Lanka after batting at three last summer.

Chairman of selectors, David Graveney, said: "Ambrose fully deserves an opportunity at this level following impressive performances for the England Performance Squad in India before Christmas and for Warwickshire last season.

"Prior performed well with the bat in Sri Lanka and it has been a difficult decision to leave him out of this tour.

"But the selectors feel that he needs to further improve his wicket-keeping in order to realise his full potential in international cricket.

"Strauss needed a break from international cricket in our view and he will now be keen to re-establish himself in the Test side.

"His experience will be of benefit to the squad as a whole and his inclusion will also provide us with alternative options if required at the top of the batting order.

The three-Test series starts in Hamilton on March 5 before moving on to Wellington eight days later. The final match takes place in Napier.

England's one-day squad to tour New Zealand: Paul Collingwood (Durham) captain, Tim Ambrose (Warwickshire), James Anderson (Lancashire), Ian Bell (Warwickshire), Ravi Bopara (Essex), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Alastair Cook (Essex), Dimitri Mascarenhas (Hampshire), Philip Mustard (Durham), Kevin Pietersen (Hampshire), Owais Shah (Middlesex), Ryan Sidebottom (Nottinghamshire), Graeme Swann (Nottinghamshire), James Tredwell (Kent), Chris Tremlett (Hampshire), Luke Wright (Sussex)

England's Test squad to tour New Zealand: Michael Vaughan (Yorkshire) captain, Tim Ambrose (Warwickshire), James Anderson (Lancashire), Ian Bell (Warwickshire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Paul Collingwood (Durham), Alastair Cook (Essex), Stephen Harmison (Durham), Matthew Hoggard (Yorkshire), Philip Mustard (Durham), Monty Panesar (Northamptonshire), Kevin Pietersen (Hampshire), Owais Shah (Middlesex), Ryan Sidebottom (Nottinghamshire), Andrew Strauss (Middlesex), Graeme Swann (Nottinghamshire)