Nasser Hussain (Essex, capt).- Age 35, Tests 81. Now he has given up one-day international cricket, the demands on him should decrease and he hopes to extend his Test career by two years as a result.

Although it seems some time ago, he produced battling performances in both innings to help England win the final Test against Australia in Sydney last January and his experience will be crucial as the selectors attempt to introduce younger talent.

Michael Vaughan (Yorkshire).

Age 28, Tests 29.

Finished 2002 as the leading run-scorer in Test cricket with seven centuries in the year, including three against Australia and is now recognised as the world's number one batsman in the official rankings. Will struggle to maintain those high standards, but another impressive year is crucial if England are to enjoy a productive summer.

Marcus Trescothick (Somerset).

Age 27, Tests 32.

The selectors' major find over the last couple of years lost all momentum during the winter, scoring only one half century in ten Test innings in Australia. Has admitted that he found England's gruelling winter unsettling, but he will need to rediscover his form quickly if he is not to stretch the selectors' patience this summer. Looked promising with a first innings half-century at Lord's.

Mark Butcher (Surrey)

Age 30, Tests 51.

Would perhaps have been under pressure for his place had he not scored a battling first innings century at Sydney to set up England's final Test victory. Again proved many of his doubters wrong at Lord's last month with a superb first innings ton and looks to have cemented his place for the summer. However, he had struggled prior to his Sydney efforts with only one other half-century in the Ashes series, but is a respected senior player in the squad and should retain his position at number three in the batting order.

Robert Key (Kent)

Age 24, Tests 7.

Earned his chance last winter after a couple of gutsy performances against India in the summer and broke into the side after an injury to John Crawley in Australia. Struggled at first, but gradually grew in confidence and demonstrated the resolve necessary if he is to prosper at the highest level. Fitness may be a problem, but the selectors are likely to persevere with his undoubted talent.

Anthony McGrath (Yorkshire)

Age 27, Tests 1

Surprise call-up to the squad in the first Test after a shoulder injury ruled out Andrew Flintoff, but proved he was more than worth his place with 69 runs in the first innings and then ripping out Zimbabwe's middle order with three for 16 in the tourists' second innings. The Yorkshire captaincy appears to have brought out the best in McGrath who is a neat upright batsman with a penchant for the drive. His swing bowling has now developed into a more than useful weapon.

Ashley Giles (Warwickshire).

Age 30, Tests 20.

His Ashes tour was cut short when he broke his wrist batting in the nets against Steve Harmison before the second Test in Adelaide, but remains England's leading spinner. Unlikely to be called upon much during the early part of the season - managed only eight overs in the first Test but did take a wicket - but should return later in the summer when the pitches are more to his liking. Again showed he does have ability with the bat scoring a 50 at Lord's.

Alec Stewart (Surrey, wkt).

Age 40, Tests 127

No -one would doubt that Stewart is still the best wicketkeeper-batsman at England's disposal but his continued presence in the Test line-up could depend on whether the selectors believe the time is right to look at the future and groom a younger player. Let no-one down during the winter, although he missed the Melbourne Test with a hand injury, and provided one of the best innings of the Ashes series in the final winning Test at Sydney

James Kirtley (Sussex)

Age 28, Tests 0

Possesses the rare gift of swinging the ball at pace and was England's leading first-class wicket-taker in 2001. Has put question marks over the validity of his action behind him with the backing of both his county and the England management. Called up for the first Test after injuries to Caddick and Gough, and best remembered by England fans for an amazing one-handed outfield catch off Sourav Ganguly, at Lord's last summer.

Richard Johnson (Somerset).

Age 28, Tests 0

Followed up last week's inclusion in England's one-day squad by a call-up to full Test level. He is now likely to face a straight battle with Kirtley for the place in the side vacated by Matthew Hoggard, who faces six weeks on the sidelines after tearing cartilage in his right knee. Johnson has been waiting for the chance to make his international debut after first being chosen for England's 1995-6 tour of South Africa only to withdraw with a back injury. There have been further setbacks along the way including being selected for three Tests against Australia and then the winter tour of India two years ago and failing to make the starting line-up. A burly swing bowler with a high action.

James Anderson (Lancashire).

Age 20, Tests 1.

Probably unlucky not to be chosen for the original Ashes tour party, the young Lancastrian was plucked from the Academy squad into England's one-day squad and onto the World Cup. His ability to swing the ball at pace caused batsmen problems during that tournament and after claiming a six-wicket match haul against champions Surrey at the Oval in the opening match of the season, he made his Test debut at Lord's where his five-wicket haul in Zimbabwe's first innings was one of the matches highlights.

Steve Harmison (Durham).

Age 24, Tests 6.

Proved his ability to rush even the best batsmen in the world during the Ashes tour, although his control was lacking at times. England's best fast bowling prospect, he even conquered his infamous home-sickness problem to be an ever present on one of the longest winter schedules in living memory. Still very raw, but with enough promise to encourage the selectors to persevere with him.