Adil Rashid has been included in England's Test squad for the first Test of the five-match series against India. Moeen Ali has also been recalled to the squad after missing the last Test series against Pakistan.

Rashid hasn’t played a Test for England since December 2016. He signed a white-ball only contract with Yorkshire in February this year, putting his red-ball career on hold. His selection came after the bowler confirmed his availability to play Test cricket for England for the entire summer and the upcoming winter tours to Sri Lanka and West Indies.

According to the England chief selector Ed Smith, Rashid will have to have a county contract if wishes to be eligible for Test team selection for the 2019 season as well.

On the other hand, Chris Woakes hasn’t found a spot in the squad as the selection panel feels that the bowler should be allowed to have more time to regain his form after recovering from his recent thigh and knee injury.

Jack Leach and Dominic Bess have also missed out on a place in the squad. However, both the players will join the 13-member squad in their pre-series preparation.

Essex seamer Jamie Porter has earned his maiden national call-up for his impressive performance in the domestic circuit over the past few seasons.

The Joe Root-led men will face India in the first Test on August 1, at Edgbaston.

 

England squad for first Test

Joe Root (c), Alastair Cook, Keaton Jennings, Dawid Malan, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali, Jos Buttler, Adil Rashid, Sam Curran, Stuart Broad, Jimmy Anderson, Jamie Porter

 

Schedule