England selectors picked Kevin Pietersen ahead of Graham Thorpe on Thursday for the first Ashes Test against Australia, opting for youth over experience.

The selectors had been agonising over the decision and chose the attack-minded 25-year-old Pietersen because of some dazzling performances in recent one-day matches against Australia.

Squad: Michael Vaughan (captain), Marcus Trescothick, Andrew Strauss, Ian Bell, Kevin Pietersen, Andrew Flintoff, Geraint Jones, Ashley Giles, Simon Jones, Steve Harmison, Matthew Hoggard, Chris Tremlett.