Anderson will give England extra firepower in South Africa

Bopara will miss the tournament in South Africa after dislocating his right thumb against India last weekend.

And the selectors have opted for the experience of Anderson instead of a more obvious like for like replacement such as Dimitri Mascarenhas.

Head coach Peter Moores told BBC Sport: "Jimmy comes in because we've got a few niggles among our seamers."

Inteview: England coach Peter Moores

"Ryan Sidebottom has been out for a while with side strain, and [Chris] Tremlett and Fred [Flintoff] have experienced some pain too.

606: DEBATE I can't believe the selectors have chosen to call up Jimmy Anderson as replacment for Ravi Bopara instead of Dimitri Mascarenhas hattersforlife

"It might seem strange replacing a batter with a bowler, but we've already got one spare batter.

"Since we picked that side Luke Wright has come on - we've all seen how much he has developed as a cricketer - and he's holding that place now."

Anderson has enjoyed a successful summer, taking 14 wickets in three Tests against India and 17 in limited overs internationals.

The 25-year-old also played two Twenty20 games against West Indies at The Oval in June, returning figures of 2-37 and 1-27.

We'll look to get the best out of him in the World Twenty20 Moores on Flintoff

And he will be in contention for England' opening game against Zimbabwe in Cape Town next Thursday, which will be followed 24 hours later by a showdown against Australia.

As will Andrew Flintoff, hopes Moores, with the all-rounder expected to play in the final one-day international against India on Saturday and thereby proving his fitness for the World Twenty20.

"We'll take Andrew's place in the team in steps," said Moores. "First he'll hopefully play against India and, should he come through that without reaction, he will be in the Twenty20 side.

"There's no doubt his ankle need managing, but we'll look to get the best out of him in the World Twenty20 and keep taking it like that - series by series, tournament by tournament."

Revised England squad for ICC World Twenty20:
Paul Collingwood (Durham, capt), James Anderson (Lancashire), Stuart Broad (Leicestershire), Andrew Flintoff (Lancashire), James Kirtley (Sussex), Darren Maddy (Warwickshire), Kevin Pietersen (Hampshire), Matt Prior (Sussex, wkt), Chris Schofield (Surrey), Owais Shah (Middlesex), Ryan Sidebottom (Nottinghamshire), Jeremy Snape (Leicestershire), Vikram Solanki (Worcestershire), Chris Tremlett (Hampshire), Luke Wright (Sussex).