Brabazon Trophy winner Jonathan Lupton is the surprise omission from the Great Britain and Ireland team bidding for an unprecedented third successive win over the United States at Ganton on September 6-7.

Only a week after admitting that he would view non-selection as 'devastating', Lupton, from Yarm, has been overlooked in favour of Middlesbrough clubmate and close friend Michael Skelton.

England international Lupton, 24, has not even been included on the reserve list.

It marks a dramatic turnaround for 19-year-old Skelton, who only a few weeks ago admitted that his Walker Cup chances were slim, despite winning the Welsh Amateur title and making his professional tournament debut in the British Masters at the Forest of Arden.

However, his appearance in the final of the English Amateur Championships at Alwoodley on Saturday convinced the selectors to hand the Marske teenager his Cup debut.

It caps a remarkable year for Skelton, who last July won the European Boys' Strokeplay Championship.

Former Durham County champion Richard Walker has been made second reserve following a successful year which has seen him lift the Portuguese Amateur title and finish second in the Scottish Strokeplay behind Walker Cup regular Gary Wolstenholme.

Wolstenholme, who has played in three Walker Cup-winning sides, and Edwards, a winner in 2001, will spearhead the home challenge. The match will be the 39th encounter between the two sides Team: Nigel Edwards (34), Whitchurch; Noel Fox (29), Portmarnock; Graham Gordon (23), Newmacher; David Inglis (21), Glencorse; Stuart Manley (24), Mountain Ash; Colm Moriarty (24), Athlone; Michael Skelton (19), Middlesbrough; Oliver Wilson (22), Coxmoor; Stuart Wilson (26), Forfar; Gary Wolstenholme (42), Kilworth Spring.