By Oliver Birch - Sports Editor
England batsman Ian Bell has been left out of the Test squad for the tour of South Africa this winter.
England batsman Ian Bell has been left out of the Test squad for the tour of South Africa this winter.
Bell, who is eighth on England's all-time run scoring list, has not scored a Test century in his last 23 innings, and said he was "absolutely gutted" to have missed out, on BBC Sport's website.
Nick Compton has earned a Test recall after being dropped in 2013, whilst Gary Ballance has also been recalled for the tour.
Samit Patel has retained his place in the squad ahead of Adil Rashid, with national selector James Whitaker suggesting "the likelihood of playing two spinners," [in South African conditions] is "extremely remote."
Bell was the third highest run-scorer during the 2-0 series defeat to Pakistan, despite scoring just 158 runs during his six innings.
And the five-time Ashes winner revealed he'll be focused on winnnig his place back after his winter break.
"I certainly feel I could have contributed out there and I have been working tirelessly to get into the best possible condition for the tour.
"I'm going to enjoy a winter break with my family for the first time in 11 years, and come back determined to win my place back."
Uncapped opening batsman Alex Hales, has retained his place in the side after being an unused member during the Pakistan tour.
And the Nottinghamshire batsman is favourite to become Alistair Cook's eighth opening partner since Compton took over from Andrew Strauss in 2012, following his retirement from international cricket.
Compton, who scored two centuries during his nine Test's prior to being dropped in 2013, scored over 1100 runs for Middlesex during the LV= County Championship Division One this season, averaging 38.72 from his 31 innings'.
Gary Ballance, 25, was dropped during last summer's Ashes victory over Australia, but boasts an average of 47.76 from his 15 Test's for England.
All-rounder Ben Stokes has been passed fit after sustaining a collarbone injury during the series defeat to Pakistan, whilst pace bowlers Mark Wood and Steven Finn are both unavailable due to injury.
Surrey's new left-arm pace bowler Mark Footitt, uncapped for England, revealed on BBC Radio 5 Live that he is "over the moon" to have been included in the squad.
FULL SQUAD FOR SOUTH AFRICA TOUR:
Alastair Cook (Essex, capt), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), James Anderson (Lancashire), Jonathan Bairstow (Yorkshire, wk), Gary Ballance (Yorkshire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Jos Buttler (Lancashire, wk), Nick Compton (Middlesex), Mark Footitt (Surrey), Alex Hales (Nottinghamshire), Chris Jordan (Sussex), Samit Patel (Nottinghamshire), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Ben Stokes (Durham), James Taylor (Nottinghamshire), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire).
Nick Compton has earned a Test recall after being dropped in 2013, whilst Gary Ballance has also been recalled for the tour.
Samit Patel has retained his place in the squad ahead of Adil Rashid, with national selector James Whitaker suggesting "the likelihood of playing two spinners," [in South African conditions] is "extremely remote."
Bell was the third highest run-scorer during the 2-0 series defeat to Pakistan, despite scoring just 158 runs during his six innings.
And the five-time Ashes winner revealed he'll be focused on winnnig his place back after his winter break.
"I certainly feel I could have contributed out there and I have been working tirelessly to get into the best possible condition for the tour.
"I'm going to enjoy a winter break with my family for the first time in 11 years, and come back determined to win my place back."
Uncapped opening batsman Alex Hales, has retained his place in the side after being an unused member during the Pakistan tour.
And the Nottinghamshire batsman is favourite to become Alistair Cook's eighth opening partner since Compton took over from Andrew Strauss in 2012, following his retirement from international cricket.
Compton, who scored two centuries during his nine Test's prior to being dropped in 2013, scored over 1100 runs for Middlesex during the LV= County Championship Division One this season, averaging 38.72 from his 31 innings'.
Gary Ballance, 25, was dropped during last summer's Ashes victory over Australia, but boasts an average of 47.76 from his 15 Test's for England.
All-rounder Ben Stokes has been passed fit after sustaining a collarbone injury during the series defeat to Pakistan, whilst pace bowlers Mark Wood and Steven Finn are both unavailable due to injury.
Surrey's new left-arm pace bowler Mark Footitt, uncapped for England, revealed on BBC Radio 5 Live that he is "over the moon" to have been included in the squad.
FULL SQUAD FOR SOUTH AFRICA TOUR:
Alastair Cook (Essex, capt), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), James Anderson (Lancashire), Jonathan Bairstow (Yorkshire, wk), Gary Ballance (Yorkshire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Jos Buttler (Lancashire, wk), Nick Compton (Middlesex), Mark Footitt (Surrey), Alex Hales (Nottinghamshire), Chris Jordan (Sussex), Samit Patel (Nottinghamshire), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Ben Stokes (Durham), James Taylor (Nottinghamshire), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire).