James Kirtley admits he was fearing the worst when the England Test squad was announced.

Now, having been named in the 12 for the series opener against South Africa on Thursday, the Sussex fast bowler is hoping it is a case of third time lucky.

Kirtley was in the squad for the two-match series against Zimbabwe earlier this season but was left out on the morning of the match on both occasions.

He said: "I knew they were talking about bringing back Darren Gough and I didn't think they would change a winning side so I was expecting a phone call to give me the bad news.

"So it was nice when the drinks were brought on at Leicester on Friday to be told I was in the 12.

"Sometimes no news is good news and it helped me focus more on what was going on against Leicestershire than dwell on bad news."

Kirtley has kept his England place because of his consistent form.

He has taken 40 Championship wickets, the third best tally in the country, to help Sussex move within five points of First Division leaders Surrey on the back of four successive wins.

He added: "Since the last Test I feel I have been bowling well without much fortune. I bowled well at Arundel a fortnight ago without much luck and I went past the bat a lot at Leicester which not a lot of bowlers did.

"I've set myself a target of between 70-80 wickets for the season so I'm just about on target and I'm hoping that a couple of big hauls are around the corner."

Kirtley joined up with the England squad today and will play if they opt for an all-seam attack at Edgbaston or if doubts remain over Gough's ability to last the pace of a five-day Test.

If he misses out again he will join up with the Sussex squad for their next Championship match against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge on Friday.

But he definitely misses Sussex's day-night National League match against Durham at Hove tomorrow (4.10pm).