On Wednesday, England recalled Dawid Malan and left opener Dom Sibley out of their squad in an attempt to shore up their shaky top order ahead of the third Test against India at Headingley next week.
India leads the five-match series 1-0 after a stunning 151-run victory in the second Test at Lord’s on Monday, in which they bowled England out for just 120 runs.
England, who were left with 60 overs to bat after India captain Virat Kohli declared, were despatched with 49 balls remaining when Sibley was one of four ducks in the innings.
PERTH, AUSTRALIA – DECEMBER 15: Dawid Malan of England walks off the field after being dismissed for 140 during day two of the Third Test match during the 2017/18 Ashes Series between Australia and England at WACA on December 15, 2017 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Sibley, 25, has been in bad form for a while, averaging only 14 in the first two games of this series and under 20 in Test cricket this year.
Malan earned his 15th Test cap in a win over India at Edgbaston in 2018.
Malan’s home county pitch is now Headingley, and the Leeds venue is also where the 33-year-old struck 199 for Yorkshire against Sussex in his last first-class encounter in June.
Malan, on the other hand, rarely bats higher than third.
Haseeb Hameed may potentially open opposite Rory Burns in the third Test, which begins a week on Wednesday, after the struggling Zak Crawley was dropped along with Sibley from a 15-man team.
Hameed returned to Test cricket with a nought and a nine at Lord’s, however he batted first-wicket down rather than in his favoured position of opener.
Meanwhile, England has invited paceman Saqib Mahmood into the team because to concerns about Mark Wood’s health after the fast bowler had a shoulder injury while fielding at Lord’s.
Stuart Broad, Olly Stone, and Chris Woakes are all injured, and star all-rounder Ben Stokes is currently unavailable due to mental health difficulties.
Mahmood, who has yet to play in a Test match, has made an impression in white-ball forms, and was named England’s man of the series in their 3-0 one-day international victory over Pakistan earlier this season.
England’s squad for the third Test against India, which will be held at Headingley from August 25 to 29, is as follows:
Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler (wkt), Sam Curran, Haseeb Hameed, Dan Lawrence, Saqib Mahmood, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Mark Wood, Joe Root (capt), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler (wkt),