London: Yorkshire batsman Dawid Malan was recalled to the England squad for the third Test against India, to be played at Headingley next week while Dom Sibley and Zak Crawley were dropped.
Malan returns to the Test squad for the first time in three years. He last played Test cricket in August 2018 in England’s victory over India at Edgbaston and will be looking to add to his 15 caps.
Lancashire seamer Saqib Mahmood was also included into the side after impressing in all formats. He has yet to make his Test debut but will be aiming to add to his England credentials, having already been capped by the senior side in ODIs and IT20s.
The 24-year-old right-arm quick is familiar with the England set-up, having toured as a reserve during England’s winter Test programmes in Sri Lanka and India. I
In addition, he was part of the extended squads during last summer’s behind closed doors Test series against West Indies and Pakistan and was called up as back up in the build-up to the first Test at Lord’s.
Both Crawley and Sibley, who has been dropped will return to Kent and Warwickshire respectively, to spend some time playing.
Meanwhile, Somerset spinner Jack Leach will return to Taunton, but remains on standby as back-up to Moeen Ali.
Mark Wood has also been included in the squad despite injuring his shoulder in the second Test.
The England medical team will monitor Wood's injury and the pacer is expected to make a full recovery ahead of the Emerald Headingley Test.
'Dawid Malan deserves his opportunity in the Test arena. He has a lot of experience across all formats and, if called upon, I am confident that he can come and do well on his home ground.
In the limited time he has played first-class cricket this season, he has shown what he is capable of, scoring a highly accomplished 199 for Yorkshire against Sussex at Headingley in June,' said England Men’s Head Coach, Chris Silverwood.
“Zak Crawley will return to Kent to galvanise the excellent work he did last week in the nets at Lord’s with Assistant Coach Graham Thorpe. Zak is still a massive part of our plans moving forward, but we feel he would benefit from time outside the pressure of international competition to get some time working on his skills.
Dom Sibley needs some time away to regain his confidence after a challenging period. He will return to Warwickshire to spend time in the middle without the scrutiny and find some rhythm and confidence. Dom offers a lot of value to the Test environment and some time away should help him. However, he remains part of our plans,' he added.
The England men’s Test squad will report to its Leeds base on Sunday. (UNI)
