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Joe Root will open the batting for England in their Ashes warm-up match against Essex after Nick Compton was dropped from the squad following recent poor performances.
Compton's place in the Test team has been in the balance for some time, coach Andy Flower admitting the 29-year-old needed to find some form after scoring just 39 in the two Tests with New Zealand in January.
Compton has since gone back to Somerset and made scores of 166, 18, 15 and 56 in his last four County Championship appearances.
However, his performances haven't been good enough to earn him a spot in the 14-man team for the warm-up clash and Yorkshire's Root now appears favourite to open the batting in the first Ashes Test on January 10 after being given the nod against Essex.
In contrast to Compton's poor form recently, Root has impressed in both the Test and ODI arenas, notching up his maiden century in the second Test with New Zealand.
The 22-year-old is priced at6.50to be England's top batsman in the Ashes, with skipper and Root's potential fellow opener Alastair Cook3.50.
"We believe Joe Root is currently the best opening partner for Alastair Cook and he will open against Essex," said national selector Geoff Miller.
"Joe has performed well for Yorkshire at the top of the order earlier this season and during his international career so far has proven to be very adaptable in all three formats and relished the challenge of international cricket."
Also included in the squad for the warm-up match is the fit-again Kevin Pietersen, the 32-year-old making a successful return from his knee injury as he made 177 not out in Surrey's County Championship draw with Yorkshire.
Seam bowlers Graham Onions and Boyd Rankin have also been called up to provide cover, while spinner Graeme Swann will look to prove his fitness after a recent calf injury.
Before the warm-up game with Essex starts on Sunday, England face two Twenty20 matches against New Zealand.
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