Gatting makes call to the young ones

MIKE GATTING wants England's young hopefuls to force their way into the Test series against New Zealand, writes David Townsend.

The former England captain said: "As a selector I'm looking for people desperate to play for England, who are totally focused on playing for England.

"Going out of the World Cup early should have given young players on the county circuit a real incentive to do well and force their way into the Test team." But Gatting and his fellow selectors are unlikely to make wholesale changes to a side which beat South Africa last summer. He said: "With Andy Flintoff and Ben Hollioake both playing Test cricket before they were 21 no one can accuse us of not giving youngsters a chance. But neither grabbed that chance and you can't pick someone simply on the basis that they are young." Gatting also expects Middlesex spinner Phil Tufnell to push for a recall at 33. "He's been bowling really well."

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