KENT’S in-form opening batsman David Fulton and limited-overs all-rounder Mark Ealham were overlooked by England today when the selectors announced their tour parties to visit India, New Zealand and Zimbabwe this winter.

Fulton, the county’s leading first-class run scorer with 1,682 runs was not included in the 16-man Test party to travel to India on November 14, while Ealham was left out of the 16-strong party of limited overs’ specialists to visit Zimbabwe.

Kent wicketkeeper Paul Nixon, who toured Pakistan with England last winter, was also cast aside while the claims of Martin Saggers and Rob Key were also overlooked, though Key has been chosen for the National Academy squad to train in Australia this winter.

Nasser Hussain will captain a Test squad that includes two uncapped players, the Essex wicketkeeper, James Foster, and the Yorkshire off-spinner, Richard Dawson. There is also a recall to the senior squad for Lancashire stumper Warren Hegg.

The one-day party includes two other newcomers, James Kirtley of Sussex and Jeremy Snape of Gloucestershire.

Announcing the squad, Chairman of Selectors, David Graveney said: "The retirement of Michael Atherton and Alec Stewart and Darren Gough's decision to make themselves unavailable for selection for part of the winter programme will create opportunities for other players to establish themselves within the Test side this winter.

"James Foster performed well on the 'A' side's tour of the Caribbean last winter and Richard Dawson has played a key role in Yorkshire's Championship winning side this summer and we are excited by his potential."

England Test Squad to tour India and New Zealand: Nasser Hussain (Captain) Essex, Usman Afzaal, Nottinghamshire, Mark Butcher, Surrey, Andrew Caddick, Somerset, Robert Croft Glamorgan, Richard Dawson, Yorkshire, James Foster, Essex, Ashley Giles, Warwickshire, Warren Hegg, Lancashire, Matthew Hoggard Yorkshire, James Ormond Leicestershire, Mark Ramprakash, Surrey, Graham Thorpe, Surrey, Marcus Trescothick, Somerset, Michael Vaughan, Yorkshire, Craig White Yorkshire.

England ODI Squad to tour Zimbabwe: Nasser Hussain (Captain) Essex, Paul Collingwood, Durham, Andrew Flintoff, Lancashire, James Foster, Essex, Paul Grayson, Essex, Matthew Hoggard, Yorkshire, Ben Hollioake, Surrey, James Kirtley, Sussex, Nick Knight, Warwickshire, James Ormond, Leicestershire, Mark Ramprakash, Surrey, Owais Shah, Middlesex, Ryan Sidebottom, Yorkshire, Jeremy Snape, Gloucestershire, Marcus Trescothick, Somerset, Craig White, Yorkshire,

National Academy Squad: Ian Bell, Warwickshire, Stephen Harmison, Durham, Simon Jones, Glamorgan, Derek Kenway Hampshire, Robert Key, Kent, Steven Kirby, Yorkshire, Nicky Peng Durham, Chris Schofield Lancashire, Andrew Strauss Middlesex, Graeme Swann Northamptonshire, Chris Tremlett Hampshire, Alex Tudor Surrey, Mark Wallace, Glamorgan, Mark Wagh Warwickshire, Matthew Wood, Yorkshire.