Bell, Vaughan and Harmison fail to make squad

England have left batsmen Ian Bell and Michael Vaughan and fast bowler Steve Harmison out of the squad for the first Test against West Indies at Lord's.

Middlesex batsman Owais Shah has been dropped, so Essex's Ravi Bopara is set to take the vital number three role.

Uncapped seam bowlers Graham Onions and Tim Bresnan are surprise inclusions and they will provide support for James Anderson and Stuart Broad.

Well as you know I am a fan of Bopara so thumbs up on that.

Never heard of Graham Onions and Tim Bresnan, but saw a bit of footage of Onions which was enough to make ones eyes water as he moved it about off the pitch n through the air. Good bowler to have in the right conditions.

Sidebottom?

Sidebottom still injured - well more recovering tbh

Onions plays with Hamison up in Durham, his bowling average is low 30s, and he has a fair amount of first class experience at 26 years of age. Not sure you'd get the right playing conidtions darn sarf in landan for Onions, but I guess against the Windies he may be worth a try. Can generate a fair bit of pace too - mid to high 80s when hes in midflow, but dont see it too often tbh

Bresnan...he has played for England before (in ODIs) but a time to forget, and something Bresnan will have erased from his memory. 3 years ago against Sri Lanka when he was 21, he was smashed to every corner of the ground by the top order - the one match I remember well of his was at his home ground; Headingly, he bowled 2 overs all game and went for 29 - Jayasuriya mustve thought he was in the nets...
His average is around low 30s too, and is medium fast-ish, almost two similar bowlers.

You'd rather give them experience against the Windies then have them in the Ashes squad...I think the batters should be priority here - really be looking to get some runs and some 400+ innings.

Alex Stewart ex England captain has said today that Harmison is a huge miss from the 12 and he would be the one bowlers name he would include in every squad.

I think I have said before someone should get a hold of him n get his head action n heart right.

Such a waste of a talent.

If Harmison is having an off game (and he seems to be having a lot of those in recent years) thats one strike bowler gone - at the highest international level you cannot afford that. No one has coached Harmison the way he was needed to be coached - Aussies always maintained he is one of the most talented bowlers ever, and if he was theirs he'd be the best.

The guy loses confidence so easily, against the Aussies - they'd take him for a ride