England call up Onions and Tremlett

England have included pacemen Graham Onions and Chris Tremlett in the squad for the fourth Investec Test at the Emirates Durham ICG.

The England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed at a press conference that the duo would join the XI that ensured the Ashes were retained following the rained-off draw at Emirates Old Trafford.

With just a four-day turnaround between Tests, England are likely to assess the fitness of the quicks after they were forced into the field for long periods in Manchester.

Neither Onions nor Tremlett have appeared in the series so far with their additions coming ahead of Steven Finn, who was dropped after the 14-run opening Test win at Trent Bridge.

Durham paceman Onions could get the chance to play on his home ground while Tremlett will bid to play his first Test in 18 months.

The 31-year-old has not played for England since the 3-0 whitewash tour defeat against Pakistan in January last year.

Any concerns over Ian Bell's fitness would also appear to have been allayed after the right-hander suffered a nasty blow to his thumb while batting on Monday.

National selector Geoff Miller explained the need for extra pace-bowling cover in the second of two back-to-back Tests.

He said: "The inclusion of Graham Onions and Chris Tremlett gives Andy Flower and Alastair Cook an opportunity to assess both the fitness of the bowling attack following the third Test, as well as the conditions at Durham.

"While the players should be congratulated on retaining the Ashes, there is still a lot of cricket left in this series and it is important that the players recover and refocus ahead of another crucial week of Test cricket."

England squad for fourth Investec Test against Australia at Emirates Durham ICG, starting on August 9: AN Cook (Captain), JM Anderson, JM Bairstow, IR Bell, TT Bresnan, SCJ Broad, G Onions, KP Pietersen, MJ Prior, JE Root, GP Swann, CT Tremlett, IJL Trott.