Flintoff and Jones in Champions Trophy Squad As England Retain Team for First Test

England have resisted the temptation to rush Andrew Flintoff back into their side for next week's first Test against South Africa but offered fresh hope to another of the four-man pace attack who underpinned the 2005 Ashes triumph by including Simon Jones in a 30-man squad for the ICC Champions Trophy in September.

Jones has not played international cricket since injuring an ankle during the fourth Test of that series and lost his central contract last year after the second major knee operation of his career. But a winter move from Glamorgan to Worcestershire appears to have revived the 29-year-old's career because he has taken 26 wickets in five championship appearances this season.

"It's a great feeling to know the selectors are taking some notice," he said yesterday. "The last three years have been a bit of a write-off. But I'm feeling stronger this year and the ball is coming out really well. I've got three or four five-fors and I feel very upbeat. My worst time was last year when things went wrong after I'd worked so hard. You do start doubting yourself but things have clicked this season."

Jones received encouragement from the chairman of selectors, Geoff Miller, that his Test career might resume soon. Asked if Jones would be considered for future squads, Miller replied: "If he keeps performing like he's been performing then, yes, he has a chance."

Flintoff is also included in the initial squad for the Champions Trophy, which will be halved to 15 shortly before the tournament, still scheduled to be held in Pakistan. However, Miller confirmed in omitting the Lancashire all-rounder from yet another unchanged Test squad yesterday that if all goes to plan he will be back in the England side well before that.

"We've been in constant communication with Andrew and we just need to see a few more miles in the legs and a few more runs from the bat," said Miller, suggesting Flintoff has every chance of a recall for the second Test at Headingley starting on July 18, especially as the 12 named yesterday was specifically for the first Test at Lord's.

Flintoff bowled his first lengthy spells since his recent side strain in a championship game in Hove this week and hinted at a return to batting form in a first fifty for 14 months, but Lancashire were always expecting him to be available for their Twenty20 Cup quarter-final against Middlesex on Tuesday followed by a four-day game with Hampshire at the Rose Bowl.

Other than Jones, the most eye-catching inclusion in the one-day squad is Darren Pattinson, a Grimsby-born seamer who worked as a roofer in Melbourne before joining Nottinghamshire this season.