James Taylor looks certain to join the England squad if Kevin Pietersen fails to recover from a calf injury in time for the Third Test.
Taylor’s county, Notts, today agreed to him switching temporarily to Sussex to play in a three-day game against Australia starting on Friday.
Several players, including Taylor and Yorkshire’s Gary Ballance, have been tipped to come in for Pietersen if his calf strain does not clear up in time for the Old Trafford clash, starting on Thursday week.
“We would like to thank Nottinghamshire and Sussex for their support and understanding,” said England coach Andy Flower.
“This will provide James with a valuable opportunity to play in a longer format of the game while we consider our options. A decision about his (Pietersen’s) availability for the Test will made nearer the time.”
Taylor made two Test appearances last summer, and contributed to a 147-run stand with Pietersen against South Africa at Headingley.
Australia have called up rookie off-spinner Ashton Turner for the match against Sussex after deciding to rest senior players.
Turner, 20, will make his first-class debut after a spell with Chichester Priory Park, where he took 18 wickets at an average of 40.78. A member of the Under-19 team that finished runners-up to India in last year’s World Cup, he will be one of three spinners in the side, along with Ashton Agar and Nathan Lyon.
Captain Michael Clarke will miss the match amid reports that his back injury flared up after the Second Test defeat to England at Lord’s.
Vice-captain Brad Haddin, openers Shane Watson and Chris Rogers, and pace bowlers Peter Siddle and Ryan Harris have all been rested, with Ed Cowan to captain the Australia XI.
