Sussex star Matt Prior has been confirmed as England vice-captain for the forthcoming Ashes tour.

But all-rounder Chris Jordan – thought by some to be an outside bet for the 17-man party – misses out.

Jordan is part of the performance programme who will also head Down Under and offer cover to the senior squad.

Monty Panesar, who is parting company with Sussex, is also in the Ashes party announced today.

England selector Geoff Miller said: “Monty has appreciated he has made errors but he is very confident those errors are behind him now.

“He is very prepared to let his bowling do his talking for him.”

England squad: Cook, Prior, Anderson, Bairstow, Ballance, Bell, Broad, Carberry, Finn, Panesar, Pietersen, Rankin, Root, Stokes, Swann, Tremlett, Trott.

Performance programme: Ali, Briggs, Buttler, Chopra, Foakes, Harris, Jordan, Kerrigan, Lees, Mills, Overton, Robson, Topley, Vince, Willey, Wood.