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Saqib Mahmood, England’s pacer who is yet to debut in Tests has been released from the Test squad and he will return to Oval Invincibles for their The Hundred match, England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said on Thursday.

Saqib Mahmood was added to England Test squad as a cover for the second Test against India.

Saqib Mahmood was with the England Test squad after being called up as cover PA Photos/Getty Images

Saqib Mahmood Was Released From Test Squad And Will Play In The 100: ECB

Saqib Mahmood has since been one of the star bowlers in the first season of the Hundred, with five wickets at 22.40 for Oval Invincibles. He claimed nine wickets at 13.66 in England’s 3-0 series win in the ODIs against Pakistan in July, after being called up as part of an emergency squad following a Covid outbreak in England’s original party, and retained his place for the subsequent T20I series, where he picked up a further four wickets at 28.00.

“Saqib Mahmood has been released from the England Men’s Test squad and will return to Oval Invincibles for their The Hundred match against London Spirit on Saturday,” ECB said in a statement.

England's James Anderson and Stuart Broad(AP) — England’s James Anderson and Stuart Broad(AP)

England meanwhile won the toss and opted to bowl first after the toss was delayed by 20 minutes due to light drizzle. England captain Joe Root confirmed three changes in his side. Injured Stuart Broad was replaced by Mark Wood while Haseeb Hameed came in place of out of form Zak Crawley and Moeen Ali replaced Dan Lawrence. The first Test ended in a draw after day five was washed out at Trent Bridge.

Stuart Broad was ruled out of the remainder of England’s Test series with India after tearing his right calf muscle.

Stuart Broad underwent an MRI scan in London on Wednesday, which revealed the tear, suffered when he appeared to slip during a light warm-up jog ahead of training at Lord’s on the previous day.

Saqib Mahmood was called up to England’s squad as cover ahead of the second of five Tests at Lord’s as James Anderson also had an injury doubt. James Anderson missed training on Wednesday morning, as he is suffering from a tight quad, but he was selected in the XI.

KL Rahul’s Ton And Rohit Sharma’s 83 Put England On Backfoot On The 2nd Test’s 1st Day

Meanwhile, KL Rahul’s unbeaten ton and Rohit Sharma’s gutsy 83-knock helped India take the upper hand against England on the opening day of the ongoing second Test here. At stumps, India’s score reads 276/3 with KL Rahul (127*) and Ajinkya Rahane (1*) currently unbeaten at the crease. Earlier, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli had also played knocks of 83 and 42 respectively to put the hosts onto the back foot.

KL Rahul. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Resuming the final session at 157/2, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul mixed caution with aggression and they kept on moving the scoreboard, piling on the pressure on the hosts. KL Rahul brought up his century in the 78th over of the innings and he along with the skipper kept the hosts at bay.

After winning the toss, Joe Root made no bones about the fact that he wanted to make use of the overcast conditions to put pressure on India. But the Indian openers ensured India has a solid foundation.