GARETH Batty has vowed to win back his England Test place after being discarded for the winter tour to Pakistan.

The Worcestershire off-spinner was snubbed from the 17-man party that heads to the subcontinent next month.

Hampshire veteran Shaun Udal and Warwickshire's Alex Loudon, both uncapped at Test level, were surprisingly given the nod by England selectors to team up with number one spinner Ashley Giles.

Instead, Batty was drafted into the ECB academy squad along with County colleague Steve Davies, with a view to travelling with England's 'A' side in next year's tour of West Indies.

Despite seemingly falling down the pecking order in the eyes of selectors after a below-par County season, 27-year-old Batty is hungry to win a future recall and add to his seven Test appearances.

He admits his absence from the international scene over the next few months may actually prove beneficial in the long term, providing ample time to improve his game and perfect a new delivery in his artillery.

"It was not what I was hoping for," said Batty. "But the guys that England picked have had decent years.

"I'm just pleased that I've been selected in the academy. It's great that I'm still involved in some way, although I'm disappointed it's not in the full shake-up.

"It's something I'm pretty upbeat about. It's easy to take it as a real downer. But it's still possible that I'm involved for England 'A' and I'm next in line for the Test squad.

"There's things in my game that I'm trying to improve for the level of success I'm wanting to achieve at international level.

"I've got a few months after the season ends to work on a few things and come back a better player. I'm still ambitious and want to play as many times as I can for England."

Batty links up with fellow spinner Ray Price today as Worcestershire host Essex at New Road in their final Frizzell County Championship clash.

The County seek victory, as it would provide a much-needed confidence boost ahead of Sunday's critical totesport League relegation showdown with Lancashire.

Batty added: "Whenever you walk out on to the pitch, you want to win. That will be no different against Essex."

Nadeem Malik is poised to start for Worcestershire after shaking off a side niggle, while Shoaib Akhtar is rested to recover from a fever.

Essex are without experienced duo Darren Gough and Andy Flower.