Mike Yardy is being lined-up to open the innings when he makes his England debut.

The 25-year-old Sussex batsman was yesterday named in a 16-man A team squad for the tour of West Indies which includes two Tests and five one-day internationals.

Yardy won a place in the England Academy after an oustanding 2005 for his county when he scored over 1,500 first-class runs including five hundreds batting at No.3.

If he makes a success of this step up the order he will almost certainly replace the retired Ian Ward when the new county season starts in April.

Academy director Peter Moores, the former Sussex coach, said: "I think anyone who regularly bats in the top three can open and Yards' method and approach makes him ideal for that role.

"He deserves this chance. He's lost 10kg in weight but none of the power he had and he's done really well at the Academy. Now he's got an opportunity in the Caribbean to really kick on."

With Alex Loudon, Ian Blackwell and Gareth Batty all included, it remains to be seen how much opportunity Yardy will get to bowl his much-improved left-arm spin.

Sussex cricket manager Mark Robinson says his first England call-up is reward for the huge progress he has made since his breakthrough first Championship hundred in the final game of the 2004 season.

"Yards has been on a mission since that summer and he is getting what he deerves," said Robinson.

"The way he has developed and the work he has put in to make himself into the player he is now is a fantastic example to everyone at Sussex."

Northants off-spinner Monty Panesar has been added to the senior squad to tour India.

Staplefield CC, who run two teams at the weekend, start nets at Handcross Park School on February 5. Anyone interested in joining the club, who play league and friendly cricket, should contact Peter Bradbury on 07770 557755.