STEVE Rhodes has slammed England's selectors for snubbing Worcestershire's Gareth Batty from the forthcoming tour to Pakistan.

Batty, 27, the premier spinner at New Road, was yesterday omitted from the 17-strong Test squad de-spite featuring in England's last four winter tours.

In his place are uncapped pair, Hampshire veteran Shaun Udal and Warwickshire's Alex Loudon.

Udal was the surprise choice despite a flourishing season with the Rose Bowl club, where the 36-year-old claimed 36 first-class victims at just over 20.

In comparison to three previous wicket-laden years with Worcestershire, Batty has suffered a dip in form taking just 35 wickets at 35.64 for the County.

But head-coach Rhodes feels Batty has been hard done by and questioned the decision to select two spinners without any experience at Test level.

"Gareth is very unlucky," said Rhodes. "Obviously, he's had an up- and-down season and should have got more wickets. But I thought the England team would try to stay consistent in who they pick. You'd wish they would remain consistent.

"He really deserved to be given the opportunity as number two to Ashley Giles. Shaun Udal has had a good year statistically. But seriously, he is not the future for the English team in terms of a spinner.

"Gareth's been part of England for a while and is still a young bloke. There's plenty of years ahead of him.

"Comparing Gareth to Alex Loudon, if you were picking one as a spinner you would go for Gareth. But they must have gone for Alex for his batting.

"I'm sure it is a blow for Gareth. But he is mature enough to understand that you have disappointments like this in your career."

Rhodes also felt sympathy for seam bowler Kabir Ali, absent from England's one-day international squad, which does include County captain Vikram Solanki.

He added: "After suffering this sort of disappointment, it is important Kabir and Gareth bounce back. I'm confident that they will."

Batty received a crumb of comfort with his selection in the academy squad, which is likely to lead to his inclusion in the England 'A' tour to the West Indies next year.

Worcestershire's teenage wicket-keeper Steve Davies is also part of the academy line-up.