Two new faces in England squad

Uncapped pair Tom Westley and Dawid Malan have been named in England’s 13-man squad for the third Test against South Africa at The Oval.

England’s selectors resisted making wholesale changes to the side that was crushed by 340 runs at Trent Bridge as the Proteas rebounded from their own hammering at Lord’s to square the four-Test series at 1-all.

Westley has been confirmed to debut at No.3 as Gary Ballance’s replacement after the left-hander fractured his finger in the loss at Nottingham it what had been his third stint in the England Test side.

There was no room in the squad for Surrey's Mark Stoneman, who had widely been tipped to earn his first Test cap.

The 28-year-old Westley, who plays for Essex alongside former captain Alastair Cook, said a Test call-up would be an "absolute honour" when he spoke to The Independent prior to the squad announcement.

"I’ve felt good the last few years at Essex," he said.

"My first-class record has been very good. I’ve scored runs for the Lions and scored runs against the touring first-class teams - I’ve been in a good space for a number of years.

"So if there’s ever a time to play it would be now."

Quick Single: Pietersen calls for Malan Test debut

Malan, who made a furious start to his international career last month with a 44-ball 78 against South Africa in Cardiff, has been included should England opt to play an extra batsman.

While he’s yet to face a ball at Test level, the right-hander has amassed centuries against touring nations Sri Lanka, Australia and South Africa, the latter coming for the Lions at the start of the Proteas’ Test campaign.

"I’d like to think facing international attacks brings the best out of me," he said.

"Getting the hundred against Australia and backing it up against Sri Lanka and then South Africa, I’d like to think it’s not just a fluke.

"Whether I raise my game or whether my game is just suited to that I don’t know until I’m exposed to it at Test level.

"But I can just take a lot of confidence from the fact I’ve scored those runs against some good bowlers and good attacks. It puts me in quite a good place."

Malan, 29, is a seasoned campaigner having played 141 first-class games and has 18 hundreds under his belt including 425 runs at 42.50 and a century this season for Middlesex.

England have retained the services of left-arm spinner Liam Dawson despite bowling just 18 overs at Trent Bridge for returns of 1-68.

ENGLAND THIRD TEST SQUAD: Joe Root, Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonathan Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Alastair Cook, Liam Dawson, Keaton Jennings, Dawid Malan, Toby Roland-Jones, Ben Stokes, Tom Westley, Mark Wood