WORCESTERSHIRE'S Graeme Hick has kept his place in England's Test squad despite five failures in six innings in Pakistan.

Speculation about his international future ended when he was named in the 15-man party for the forthcoming Test series in Sri Lanka.

His crucial innings in the final Test against Pakistan in Karachi appears to have secured his inclusion.

Meanwhile, four months after he closed the door on his international career, Robert Croft has found himself ushered back in the England squad.

Croft's fearsome attack on England's selection policy that followed his omission from the winter tour squads could well have meant the end for the off-spinner's international hopes.

But a dearth of talent in the spin bowling department and a torrid time for Ian Salisbury in Pakistan has ensured his reprieve.

He is joined in the party by another off-spinner, the untried but extremely promising Jason Brown, of Northamptonshire, as chairman of selectors David Graveney announced two changes to those named in August.