Message is clear over Strauss as squad is announced

Strauss was duly confirmed yesterday as captain of a 13-man squad – also containing the surprise selections of a back-in-favour Ian Bell and fit-again Bresnan – for one ODI against Scotland and five NatWest Series matches against Australia.

But there was no place for Bresnan's county team-mate Ajmal Shahzad, who made his Test debut against Bangladesh last week.

Bresnan is back in the frame much more quickly than many anticipated when a worrying foot injury was diagnosed after a below-par showing in the Lord's Test against Bangladesh.

England soon ascertained the stress reaction in the Yorkshire all-rounder's left foot was not as bad as first thought.

It is therefore hoped he will be fit in time at least to face Australia – although there is scope, probably in the guise of Shahzad, for cover to be close at hand in an England Lions squad set to be named next week to face India A and West Indies A.

Strauss's status as 50-over as well as Test captain, meanwhile, was spelled out by coach Andy Flower two days ago, a clarification which became necessary after the "misinterpretation" of some of national selector Geoff Miller's remarks in a weekend radio interview.

There was no equivocation from Miller yesterday, however, as he explained the collective reasoning behind a list of names which also included Craig Kieswetter as the sole wicketkeeper-batsman – at the expense of Matt Prior.

But three days after the rumour mill was kickstarted, and quickly silenced by Flower, it was still the Strauss issue which dominated.

"From a quality point of view, he is a top-class 50-over batsman – so there was never any doubt," said Miller.

"I think I was misinterpreted earlier in the week when I said we are discussing all points. He is definitely our 50-over captain."

The apparent mixed – and, it proved, imaginary – messages on Strauss's ongoing tenure appear to have emanated from nothing more sinister than a determination not to pre-empt the squad announcement.

England squad (for the one-day international against Scotland and NatWest Series against Australia): AJ Strauss (cap, Middx), JM Anderson (Lancs), TT Bresnan (Yorks), IR Bell (Warks), SCJ Broad (Notts), PD Paul Collingwood (Durham), C Kieswetter (wkt, Somerset), EJG Morgan (Middx), KP Pietersen (Hants), RJ Sidebottom (Notts), GP Swann (Notts), LJ Wright (Sussex), MH Yardy (Sussex).