Bell, 22, will have to wait longer to cement a Test spot

Ian Bell has missed out on a place in England's 16-man Test squad to tour South Africa this December.

Bell scored 70 on debut against West Indies last week but makes way for the returning Mark Butcher, who missed the entire series through injury.

Chief selector David Graveney said: "Ultimately we felt that Mark Butcher deserved to retain his place."

Rob Key keeps his place among six specialist batsmen, while there was room for all-rounder Paul Collingwood.

Graveney admitted Bell was considered, but preferred Butcher and Key, who marked his return to the team with majestic knocks in the first and third Test against the Windies.

He added: "Butcher deserved to retain his place following outstanding batting performances in the Caribbean during the winter and likewise Rob Key for excellent performances against the West Indies this summer.

"We were impressed by the maturity of Ian Bell on his debut against the West Indies last week and he was considered for one of the specialist batting positions."

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Bell and uncapped Gloucestershire paceman Jon Lewis, both of whom were picked for the national academy, are on standby for the South Africa Tests.

Chris Read, who has made way in both forms of the game to Geraint Jones, was included as back-up wicket-keeper.

Worcestershire off-spinner Gareth Batty joins first-choice Ashley Giles in the spinning ranks despite not playing a Test all summer.

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There were no shocks in the pace corps, with the quartet of Matthew Hoggard, Simon Jones, Steve Harmison and James Anderson all winning selection.

The presence of Collingwood, who has had a mixed season for Durham, as an auxiliary all-rounder to Andrew Flintoff is slightly surprising.

"We have chosen Paul Collingwood because we feel his experience of the international arena and his adaptability will be of real benefit to the touring party," Graveney said.

"He will better enable us to retain the right balance to the side in the event of injury to our one all-rounder, Andrew Flintoff."

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One-day regular Collingwood has not figured for the Test team since last December, and his central contract will not be renewed next month.

Collingwood, Key, Read and Batty make up the foursome of players in the Test squad not afforded 12-month deals by the England and Wales Cricket Board.

Michael Vaughan's England will play five Tests in a six-week period in South Africa, followed by seven one-day internationals.

They have not won a Test series in South Africa for 40 years.