• World Twenty20 2014

Moeen, Parry in World Twenty20 squad

Moeen Ali was a surprise inclusion in England's World Twenty20 squad © Getty Images

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England have sprung a surprise in the selection for their squad to tour the Caribbean and then travel to the World Twenty20, including an eye-catching batsman who also bowls capable offspin. Moeen Ali is not quite as dazzling a name as Kevin Pietersen but, along with the uncapped Lancashire spinner Stephen Parry, his call-up was worthy of note as England seek to begin a new era.

Harry Gurney, the Nottinghamshire left-arm seamer, has also been included an an extra bowler for the West Indies, where England will play three ODIs and three T20s. Otherwise, the group that were crushed 3-0 in Australia has remained largely intact, with Danny Briggs the spinner to lose out and Boyd Rankin dropped from James Whitaker's first squad as national selector.

While Moeen, a former England Under-19s captain, has been tipped to play at international level for some time, Parry's selection will appear straight out of left field to some. However, the 28-year-old has built a solid reputation in limited-overs cricket at Lancashire and has 63 T20 wickets and an impressive economy of 6.86.

Parry has only played six first-class games, with Gary Keedy and then Simon Kerrigan blocking his way, and missed much of last season after breaking his arm in the nets. He spent the winter playing grade cricket in Perth.

"It goes without saying that I was absolutely delighted to have received the call from James Whitaker. I am still in a bit of shock," Parry said. "It's always an ambition to play for your country and being in the squad brings that dream a step closer to reality."

Moeen, an elegant, wristy batsman who is currently on tour with the England Lions in Sri Lanka, has experience of Bangladesh conditions, having previously played in the BPL. His call-up provides the coach, Ashley Giles, with another top-order option as he prepares for an extended chance to work with his first-choice squad - minus the disbarred Pietersen - and attempts to press his case for the vacant England team director role.

Giles, who along with Alastair Cook and Paul Downton formed the triumvirate that decided Pietersen's future, may have been left questioning the wisdom of that decision when discussions turned to the Caribbean tour and the subsequent World Twenty20.

Alongside Andy Flower, who remains a selector for the time being, Whitaker and Giles will have considered that their top three in Australia scored just 88 runs between them in eight innings. Michael Lumb, Alex Hales and Luke Wright have performed well for England in the past - Lumb and Wright were part of England's 2010 World Twenty20 win, while Hales was previously the No. 1-ranked batsman in the format - but none has the reputation and intimidatory factor of Pietersen.

When England lifted their first global limited-overs trophy four years ago, Pietersen was at his exhilarating best, finishing as Man of the Tournament. Now, as in Sri Lanka in 2012, his absence will weigh heavily on those England have chosen in his stead.

World Twenty20 squad: Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire, captain), Eoin Morgan (Middlesex, vice-captain), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), Ravi Bopara (Essex), Tim Bresnan (Yorkshire), Jos Buttler (Lancashire), Jade Dernbach (Surrey), Alex Hales (Nottinghamshire), Chris Jordan (Sussex), Michael Lumb (Nottinghamshire), Stephen Parry (Lancashire), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Ben Stokes (Durham), James Tredwell (Kent), Luke Wright (Sussex)

England squad to tour the Caribbean: Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire, captain), Eoin Morgan (Middlesex, vice-captain), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), Ravi Bopara (Essex), Tim Bresnan (Yorkshire), Jos Buttler (Lancashire), Jade Dernbach (Surrey), Harry Gurney Alex Hales (Nottinghamshire), Chris Jordan (Sussex), Michael Lumb (Nottinghamshire), Stephen Parry (Lancashire), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Ben Stokes (Durham), James Tredwell (Kent), Luke Wright (Sussex)

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