Just IN: Dawid Malan Returns As England Announce 15-Men Squad For Third Test Against India
Just IN: Dawid Malan Returns As England Announce 15-Men Squad For Third Test Against India

England have recalled left-handed batsman Dawid Malan to the Test squad after three years for the third Test against India at Headingley, starting August 25. He played the last of his 15 Tests in August 2018 against India at Edgbaston.

England lost the second Test at Lord’s by 151 runs after their bowlers failed to bowl India out in the second innings and the batsmen couldn’t survive the last two sessions. They are hoping for Dawid Malan’s experience and form to come good for them in a shaky batting order as they have dropped Dom Sibley and Zak Crawley, both of whom struggled against Indian pacers.

Saqib Mahmood also remains in the 15-man squad; he was added as Stuart Broad’s replacement for the second Test after the senior pacer was ruled out of the series due to an injury. Jack Leach, who didn’t feature in any of England’s four Tests this home summer, has also been released but remains on standby as back-up to Moeen Ali.

India defeats England at Lord's
India defeated England at Lord’s making a brilliant comeback on Day 5. (Image Credit: Twitter)

The management is optimistic about Mark Wood, who sustained a shoulder injury while trying to field on Day 4. The medical team will monitor Wood’s injured right shoulder and he is expected to recover completely ahead of the Headingley Test.

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Dawid Malan deserves his opportunity in the Test arena: Chris Silverwood

Dawid Malan, the number 1 ranked T20I batsman, averages 27.84 in his 15-Test career so far. He has notched up six fifties and a solitary hundred – against Australia in Perth in 2017, indicating his mettle.

While this call-up is a reward for his first-class show last season – he averaged 66 in the Bob Willis Trophy – the management may have an eye on the Ashes as well as he has shown his quality on their previous trip Down Under when he averaged 42.55.

Dawid Malan
Dawid Malan. (Credits: Twitter)

England Men’s Head Coach, Chris Silverwood, said: “The Test series is beautifully poised, and we are relishing the prospect of aiming to bounce back at Emerald Headingley next week.

“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 Third Test vs India:

Joe Root (c), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Haseeb Hameed, Dan Lawrence, Saqib Mahmood, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Mark Wood.

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