Dawid Malan returns as England announce squad for third Test; Crawley, Sibley dropped

England batter Dawid Malan makes a return to the squad for the team’s third Test match against India at Headingly, starting on Wednesday (August 25). The southpaw last donned the whites in August 2018 against the same opponent at Edgbaston. The England Cricket Board (ECB) have confirmed his inclusion in a statement. Meanwhile, Dom Sibley and Zak Crawley have been released to play County cricket for Kent and Warwickshire respectively.

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England pace bowler Saqib Mahmood has been included in the squad after impressing one and all during the limited-overs series against Pakistan. He is yet to make his Test debut but has been part of the Test tours to India and Sri Lanka.

Mark Wood, who was dealt with a shoulder injury during day four of the Lord’s Test match has been kept in the side but whether or not he plays the third Test will depend on his recovery. The management, however, is optimistic about Wood gaining full fitness ahead of the Headingly Test.

England Men’s Head Coach, Chris Silverwood, said: “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.”

England squad for the third Test against India:

Joe Root (Yorkshire) Captain, Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), James Anderson (Lancashire), Jonathan Bairstow (Yorkshire), Rory Burns (Surrey), Jos Buttler (Lancashire), Sam Curran (Surrey), Haseeb Hameed (Nottinghamshire), Dan Lawrence (Essex), Saqib Mahmood (Lancashire), Dawid Malan (Yorkshire), Craig Overton (Somerset), Ollie Pope (Surrey), Ollie Robinson (Sussex), Mark Wood (Durham)