England have recalled star pacer James Anderson and all-rounder Ben Stokes as part of a 14-man squad ahead of Friday’s second Test against Pakistan at Old Trafford.
Both the players were recovering from injuries. James Anderson picked up a shoulder injury during the Third Test against Sri Lanka and has been out ever since, while Stokes was undergoing surgery to repair cartilage damage in his left knee. English captain Alastair Cook and coach Trevor Bayliss were contemplating the idea of including both in the squad for the Lord’s Test. However, not taking any chances, the selectors named Jake Ball and Toby Roland-Jones in the 12-man squad. Both the players played in the County Championship earlier this week to prove their fitness.
The selectors have also recalled Adil Rashid to the team. Yorkshire leg-spinner, Rashid has so far represented England in three Tests. However, Rashid is yet to play a Test in England as all the three appearances came against Pakistan in the UAE . Rashid made a promising start to his Test career by taking 5 wickets in his second innings on debut to take England within sight of victory. However, he was less successful in the other two games and finished with a bowling average of 69.50 from the series. With Moeen Ali also in the squad, fielding two spinners against a side especially proficient at playing spin bowling might prove a risk. However, following Moeen Ali’s poor performance in the last Test, Rashid might get a chance in the playing eleven.
The selectors have retained Steven Finn and Jake Ball in the team. But both had a poor game at Lord’s and are expected to make way for Stokes and Anderson.
James Vince who is having a poor time in international cricket has also been retained. However, pacer Toby Roland-Jones, who was called into the squad for the first Test in the absence of Anderson and Stokes, has not been included in the squad.
Squad:
Alastair Cook(Capt), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Gary Ballance, Jake Ball, Stuart Broad, Steven Finn, Alex Hales, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, James Vince,
Chris Woakes.