England have gambled on the fitness of three players by including them all in their 15-man squad for the World Cup in South Africa in two months' time.

All-rounders Andrew Flintoff (hernia) and Craig White (side strain) were named today in the party despite both players facing a race against time to be fit for England's opening match against Zimbabwe in Harare on February 13.

Warwickshire left-arm spinner Ashley Giles was also selected after breaking his left wrist in the build-up to the Adelaide Test over a month ago and has ousted off-spinner Jeremy Snape from the final squad.

Youngsters Steve Harmison and James Anderson of Lancashire are also included having only just made their debuts during the triangular competition in Australia.

James Kirtley and Owais Shah miss out despite being members of the one-day squad for the best part of a year, while there's also no place for Worcestershire's Gareth Batty and Kabir Ali, both of whom were recruited from the Academy to bolster the squad.

"I'm satisfied that the players selected in this squad represent the best mix of experience and youth that England has available to it," said chairman of selectors David Graveney.

"The unavailability of several key players has given us the opportunity to bring in a number of young players into our plans. Several of these have responded extremely well to the challenge and we have had no hesitation in including them in the squad.

"The indications from the ECB Medical Officer are that Andrew will be fit and able to play a full part.

"Ashley has been given the go-ahead from his specialist to begin training and bowled six overs in the nets over the weekend without suffering any pain or reaction."

Squad: Hussain (Essex, capt), Trescothick (Somerset), Knight (Warwickshire), Irani (Essex), Collingwood (Durham), Blackwell (Somerset), Stewart (Surrey, wkt), White (Yorkshire), Flintoff (Lancashire), Vaughan (Yorkshire), Giles (Warwickshire), Caddick (Somerset), Anderson (Lancashire), Harmison (Durham), Hoggard (Yorkshire).