Cricket:Eoin Morgan remains on course to become the latest Irish cricketer to feature in the Ashes after being named in England's 16-man squad for the series against Australia later this year.
The Dubliner, who has yet to fully prove himself at test level, is by no means a certain starter but his stellar form in the limited overs format guaranteed his inclusion in the squad itself.
Four Irish-born players have previously played for England in the series, three of them between 1878 and 1908. Martin McCague - born in Co Antrim, raised in Australia and capped by England – was the last ‘Irish’ player to feature when he played in 1994.
England have recalled left-arm spinner Monty Panesar for the series in Australia while Kevin Pietersen returns after being dropped for the one-day internationals against Pakistan along with Ian Bell, who missed the four-match test series against the Pakistanis through injury.
Tim Bresnan and Chris Tremlett filled the last two fast bowling slots, alongside James Anderson, Steven Finn and Stuart Broad.
"We believe we've selected an outstanding test squad for what will be a fiercely contested Ashes series in Australia. In order to retain the Ashes we will need to play to a very high level and we believe we've selected a squad to do just that," England’s chairman of selectors Geoff Miller said.
"We feel that Chris Tremlett's inclusion will add a real threat of pace and bounce to our bowling attack given the conditions in Australia."
The 28-year-old Panesar, preferred to young leg-spinner Adil Rashid and off-spinner James Tredwell, last played a test in July 2009 when he famously batted out for a draw in the first Ashes match in Cardiff.
"Following an excellent season with Sussex Monty Panesar deserves his opportunity to assume the role as England's second spinner behind Graeme Swann," Miller said.
"Monty has gone away and worked on his bowling since his last England appearance and he continues to be an attacking threat with the ball in his hand."
The squad leaves for Australia on October 29th before starting the five-match test series in Brisbane on November 25th.
England squad:AJ Strauss (captain), AN Cook, JM Anderson, IR Bell, TT Bresnan, SCJ Broad, PD Collingwood, SM Davies (wkt), ST Finn, EJG Morgan, MS Panesar, KP Pietersen, MJ Prior (wkt), GP Swann, CT Tremlett, IJL Trott.