England called up three uncapped players in batsman Ed Smith, all rounder Glen Chapple and off spinner Gareth Batty to a 13-man squad for the third Test against South Africa on Saturday.

Batsman Anthony McGrath was dropped from the previous squad while fast bowler Darren Gough retired from Tests after playing in the first two matches of the five-Test series.

McGrath impressed with his attitude in the series win over Zimbabwe but struggled against the South Africans, averaging 17 in three innings while batting at five.

England selector Geoff Miller said, "He is certainly not out of our thoughts for future England team selections."

Kent batsman Smith has made six centuries this season and is averaging more than 60 in first-class matches.

"He is in the form of his life and has made a mountain of runs," Miller added. The 26-year-old, however, missed out for Kent against South Africa when failing to reach double figures in the first innings in their current tour match.

Worcestershire's Batty, aged 25, has played two one-day internationals, both against Australia last year. The 29-year-old Chapple, who is also a useful batsman for Lancashire, has never featured for England.

There was no room for Surrey left hander Graham Thorpe again.

Thorpe, 34, averages 41.87 in 77 Tests but has not been selected since opting out of the Ashes tour of Australia at the last moment because of personal problems.

He is keen to return but suffered a back spasm just before the second Test. Miller said he was still not fully fit but remained in England's thinking. South Africa lead the series 1-0. They dominated the first drawn Test at Edgbaston before crushing England by an innings and 92 runs at Lord's.

The third match of the five-Test series begin on Thursday at Trent Bridge.

England: Michael Vaughan (captain), Marcus Trescothick, Mark Butcher, Nasser Hussain, Ed Smith, Alec Stewart, Andrew Flintoff, Ashley Giles, James Anderson, Steve Harmison, James Kirtley, Glen Chapple, Gareth Batty.