England must grab the chance to build some momentum with victory in South Africa this winter, felt national selector Geoff Miller.

There was more than an element of looking towards the future - with an Ashes series in Australia at the end of next year - when naming the 16-man Test and one-day squad, which did not include Durham paceman Stephen Harmison, although Kevin Pietersen will tour as he recovers from Achilles surgery.

Surrey wicketkeeper Steven Davies, 23, Yorkshire leg-spinner Adil Rashid, 21, and the Sussex all-rounder Luke Wright, 24, are all called up for the first time, while quick bowler Liam Plunkett is back in the frame.

Miller, though, maintains Andy Flower's men will be fully focused on the job in hand of emulating the 2-1 Test series win in South Africa under Michael Vaughan during 2004-05.

"Part of it is looking ahead to the future, but we still have to win this series," said Miller.

"At the moment, South Africa are the number one in the world.

"They are a quality side and we have to be really on our metal.

"It will be a real tough tour and we have to go out and create some momentum by winning the series."

Miller believes Sussex all-rounder Wright has the character to take his game to the next level with England.

Following the retirement of Andrew Flintoff, who called time on his Test career after the Ashes triumph, there is a vacancy for someone to cement their place with a combination of bat and ball as the squad head to South Africa.

"Luke has proved himself to be an unfazed character," Miller said.

"He has started to play and perform really well.

"He is willing to learn and has created some good performances for Sussex with both bat and ball in all kinds of cricket.

"We are looking for him to develop that in both the Test and one-day arena."

Miller revealed Davies, was picked as back-up wicketkeeper to Matt Prior because he had been "a consistent performer" at county level.

"There was a lot of discussion on the wicketkeeper situation, because it is a difficult position to fill," Miller said.

"We felt we had to start thinking about the future again with the reserve standing for a wicketkeeper and Steven got the nod."

Leg-spinner Rashid, 21, is another promising youngster whom the England and Wales Cricket Board hope can soon deliver on the big stage.

"Adil is developing his game and we are trying to create as big a squad of peripheral players as possible," Miller said.

"We want as many as we can get knocking on the door, and Adil is part of that."

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Harmison, however, may have bowled his last ball for England, despite Miller insisting the door was still open for the 30-year-old's return.

While Harmison played in the final two Ashes Tests of the summer, he has paid the price for long-term inconsistent form, having in 2004 been the world's number one ranked bowler.

Harmison indicated he did not want to tour Australia in 2010/2011, and indeed would consider announcing his formal retirement from international cricket if England did not give assurances he would be more than a "bit-part" player.

Miller said: "His performances, certainly over the last two or three tours, have not mirrored what he was capable of doing.

"We had to keep an eye not only on the present day, but on the future as well.

"I understand what he is saying, that there is no point in him going out there as an experienced player and just walking around carrying drinks.

"But he has to fight for his place just like everyone else, and perform and get into the side on quality and ability.

"We just can't guarantee that he's going to be a player out there."

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