Yorkshire players Darren Gough and Craig White are both included in England's squad of 13 for the first Test against Zimbabwe which begins at Lord's on Thursday.

And after announcing the squad at Headingley before start of play in the Yorkshire match on Saturday, England chairman of selectors David Graveney said that Yorkshire's young strike bowler Matthew Hoggard had come very close to selection.

Hoggard, 23, who learned his cricket at Pudsey Congs, has forced his attention upon England this season with some splendidly aggressive performances.

Although in the end, England preferred Durham's 21-year-old paceman Steve Harmison because it was felt he has the greater speed at the moment, Graveney commented: "Hoggard was carefully considered and he is one of the young players we have identified as England prospects and that we will continue looking at.

"He is very much a part of our future plans."

As well as examining Hoggard's credentials, England also had long discussions regarding Angus Fraser, Martin Bicknell and Alex Tudor, but Graveney said: "We finally decided that Giddins's swing and Harmison's speed were the right combination. That is allied to our two senior bowlers, Gough and Andy Caddick."

Gough and White, who are both among the 12 on the new England contracts, were fairly automatic choices but with Andrew Flintoff also in the squad there must be a question mark over whether White will actually make it on the day.

He has shown consistent form with both bat and ball so far this season but still needs a big score under his belt.

England caused something of a surprise by recalling Giddins and there is also a place for his Warwickshire colleague Nick Knight who has been among the runs recently.

As expected, Lancashire leg-spinner Chris Schofield has made it into the 13 and they will be hoping he can enhance his reputation this summer, first against Zimbabwe and then the West Indies.

But there was no room for left-hander Graham Thorpe who preferred to stay at home last winter rather than joining England in South Africa and Zimbabwe.

"There is no disputing his quality as a batsman but he has struggled so far this season," said Graveney.

Graveney added that the squad would assemble at Lord's on Monday and he stressed that none of the 13 would be released to play for their counties.

England squad: Hussain (captain), Atherton, Caddick, Giddins, Flintoff, Gough, Harmison, Hick, Knight, Ramprakash, Stewart, Schofield, White.