Surrey's Ward and Yorkshire's Sidebottom have been added to the core of centrally contracted players, as has Glamorgan off-spinner Robert Croft.

Sidebottom, a left-arm fast bowler, comes in for the injured Matthew Hoggard, while Croft covers for Ashley Giles, who has still to shake off an Achilles problem.

The uncapped Ward, who opens for his county, is set to bat down the order - at six or seven - as England seek to combat Pakistan's dangerous seam attack on what is expected to be a spritely Lord's track.

The 27-year-old left hander earns his promotion following a successful 'A' tour to the Caribbean last winter.

Ward, a well organised, unfussy accumulator of runs, scored heavily in the Busta Cup, amassing three centuries and 769 runs at an average of 64. It earned him selection ahead of the likes of his new Surrey team-mate Mark Ramprakash and Usman Afzaal of Nottinghamshire.

Sidebottom also enjoyed a good 'A' tour, finishing top of the bowling averages. His father Arnie played one Test for England in 1985.

Thge 23-year-old is filling in for his county colleague Hoggard, who injured his side against Kent last month.

Of the 13 strong squad, Croft and Sidebottom are the most likely to miss out on Thursday, albeit depending on the pitch.

If England feel they need a frontline spinner Croft will play - probably at Ward's expense - if not Ward will make his debut and Michael Vaughan will provide the slow bowling option.

Chris Schofield made his debut at Lord's last year, but did not bowl an over as seam dominated and more of the same is expected.

Dominic Cork, having proved his fitness, should take the last seam bowling place ahead of Sidebottom.

Squad

Nasser Hussain (Essex), Michael Atherton (Lancs), Marcus Trescothick (Somerset), Graham Thorpe (Surrey), Alec Stewart (Surrey), Michael Vaughan (Yorks), Ian Ward (Surrey), Robert Croft (Glam), Craig White (Yorks), Dominic Cork (Derbys), Andrew Caddick (Somerset), Darren Gough (Yorks), Ryan Sidebottom (Yorkshire).