Dawid Malan called up to England squad, replaces Dom Sibley for third Test

England have responded to suffering a shocking loss to India in the second match of the ongoing five Test series by recalling Yorkshire batsman Dawid Malan. The 33-year-old has returned to the Test squad for the first time in three years. Malan, who last played Test cricket in August 2018 in England’s victory over India at Edgbaston, will be looking to add to his 15 caps. Besides, Lancashire seamer Saqib Mahmood is also included after consistently performing in all formats. He has yet to make his Test debut but will be aiming to add to his England career, having already been capped by the senior side in ODIs and T20Is.

The 24-year-old right-arm pacer is familiar with the England set-up, having toured as a reserve during England’s winter Test programmes in Sri Lanka and India. Besides, he was also part of the extended squads during last summer’s behind closed doors Test series against West Indies and Pakistan. He was also called up as back up in the build-up to the first Test. Somerset spinner Jack Leach will return to Taunton but remains on standby as back-up to Moeen Ali.

‘Test series is beautifully poised’

Meanwhile, batsmen Zak Crawley and Dom Sibley are omitted and will return to Kent and Warwickshire respectively. The England medical team will monitor seamer Mark Wood’s injured right shoulder. Speaking about the remainder of the series, 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.

“Zak Crawley will return to Kent to galvanise the excellent work he did last week in the nets at Lord’s with Assistant Coach Graham Thorpe. Zak is still a massive part of our plans moving forward, but we feel he would benefit from time outside the pressure of international competition to get some time working on his skills. He has a bright future and I do not doubt that his time will come again in the Test arena.”

On Dom Sibley

Speaking about Sibley, Silverwood explained, “Dom Sibley needs some time away to regain his confidence after a challenging period. He will return to Warwickshire to spend time in the middle without the scrutiny and find some rhythm and confidence. Dom offers a lot of value to the Test environment and some time away should help him. However, he remains part of our plans.

“Jack Leach will return to Somerset to get some game time. I have been impressed with his patience and it’s not easy living under the COVID protocols, especially when you’re not playing. However, he has regained his confidence and spark, and it has been a considerable asset having him around. He will be on standby should we need his services, but we want what is best for him and playing cricket and getting overs into him is the way to go.

Silverwood is also keeping his fingers crossed on Mark Wood being available for the third Test after suffering an injury. “We are hopeful that Mark Wood will be fit after injuring his right shoulder in the first Test,” he added. “Our medical team will be working with him each day. We will monitor where he is at when we get to Leeds. We also have the services of Saqib Mahmood, who has been brilliant across all formats this summer. He is confident, highly-skilled and will not be overawed if he is to make his Test debut. His temperament and attitude are suited to the international arena.”