"I could not understand how after playing the last few games of the year I was not going to start the Ashes, especially having played well in those two Tests."

The Nottinghamshire gloveman, who also played in the ICC Champions Trophy last October, was brought back into the England side for the final two Ashes Tests.

However, his return did not last long as he was left out for the one-day series in Australia in favour of Paul Nixon and then omitted from the World Cup squad.

Leicestershire keeper Nixon, 36, has impressed some during his short time in the England team, but is widely-regarded as a short-term option.

Read has been dropped several times since gaining his first Test cap in 1999, with critics claiming he is not capable of making consistent runs at the highest level.

England coach Duncan Fletcher is one such critic, and he also publicly questioned Read's temperament in the run-up to the Ashes.

James Foster of Essex and Matt Prior of Sussex have been tipped to take the gloves for this summer's Test series against West Indies and India.

That being the case, Read's international career looks to be over after 15 Tests and 36 one-day internationals.