ESSEX trio Alastair Cook, Mark Pettini and Ravinder Bopara have been named in England's provisional 30-man squad for the ICC Twenty20 World Cup.

While the inclusion of Cook and Bopara is no surprise, Pettini's call-up marks the new Essex captain's first appearance in a senior England squad.

All three will now be hopeful of forcing their way into the final 15-man squad for the tournament, which begins in South Africa on September 11.

Pettini, 23, was delighted with his call-up, which comes less than a week after the end of Essex's disappointing Twenty20 Cup campaign in which the opener scored just 72 runs in seven innings.

"I'm absolutely over the moon," said the former England Under-19 star, who names predecessor Ronnie Irani and recent Essex recruit Adam Hollioake as his biggest Twenty20 influences.

"Playing for England is something I've always dreamt of doing so being named in this provisional squad puts me in with a chance of going to South Africa.

"This is a very proud moment for me."

While his call-up was not universally expected, Pettini admitted the prospect of playing for England was in the back of his mind.

"I knew that if I played well in the one-dayers that I might get an opportunity for other things," said Pettini, who took over the captaincy following Irani's premature retirement through injury last month.

"It's certainly been a whirlwind season with lots going on, but I'm taking it all in my stride and just concentrating on each game for Essex."

Pettini's call-up was welcomed by Essex batting coach Graham Gooch.

"England have recognised that here is a talented, explosive opening batsman and an outstanding fielder," said the England legend.

"I would say Mark fits into the profile of player who England are looking to progress in Twenty20 and One-Day International cricket in general."

Pettini will battle for an opening spot with Somerset's Marcus Trescothick, who has been re-called following 19 months out of the international game with a stress-related illness, Essex colleague Cook, Lancashire's Mal Loye, Sussex wicketkeeper Matt Prior and Warwickshire's Darren Maddy.

Bopara, meanwhile, has been included on the back of a fine Twenty20 Cup in which he scored 134 runs at 44.66,took five wickets at 17.40 and even found time to pouch two catches.

The youngster's fine form included a superb, match-winning 46 not out against Middlesex at Lord's last Friday.

"I'm in the best form I've been in for a long time, so I intend to keep it up with as much net practice as I can and hitting as many balls as I can," said the 22-year-old all-rounder.

Provisional England squad: Collingwood (capt); Plunkett (both Durham); Anderson; Bopara; Cook; Pettini (all Essex); Lewis (Gloucs); Mascarenhas; Pietersen; Tremlett (all Hampshire); Chapple; Flintoff; Loye (all Lancs); Broad; Nixon; Snape (all Leics); Shah (Middx); Panesar (Northants); Sidebottom (Notts); Trescothick (Somerset); Schofield (Surrey); Kirtley; Prior; Wright; Yardy (all Sussex); Bell, Maddy, Trott (all Warwicks); Solanki (Worcs); Bresnan (Yorks)