London: England added premier pace bowler James Anderson, all-rounder Ben Stokes and leg-spinner Adil Rashid to an expanded 14-man squad announced yesterday for Friday’s second Test against Pakistan at Old Trafford.
The trio took no part in England’s 75-run defeat by Pakistan in the first of a four-match series at Lord’s on Sunday.
But Anderson, England’s all-time leading Test wicket-taker, and Stokes have both been passed fit following their respective shoulder and knee injuries.
Meanwhile Rashid, yet to play a home Test, could feature as a back-up or even an alternative to Moeen Ali after the off-break bowler came in for some harsh treatment by Pakistan’s batsmen at Lord’s.
Anderson and Stokes helped prove their fitness by taking part in the ongoing County Championship match between Lancashire and Durham at Southport, near Liverpool.
Hampshire batsman James Vince was retained despite a lowly average of under 19 after four Tests.
Nottinghamshire paceman Jake Ball, who made his Test debut at Lord’s, has reported tightness in his left thigh and will be assessed by England’s medical staff.
Toby Roland-Jones, included in the original 12-man squad for the first Test in the absence of Anderson and Stokes, was left out.
The Middlesex quick will now join up with the second-string England Lions for their one-day tri-series against Pakistan and Sri Lanka’s A teams.
Anderson’s absence from the first Test became controversial after it was reported that both captain Alastair Cook and coach Trevor Bayliss wanted him in the side, only for England’s selectors to decide he must first prove his fitness after an unusual shoulder injury.
England 2nd Test squad: Alastair Cook (Essex, capt), Alex Hales (Nottinghamshire), Joe Root (Yorkshire), James Vince (Hampshire), Gary Ballance (Yorkshire), Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire, wkt), Ben Stokes (Durham), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), James Anderson (Lancashire), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Steven Finn (Middlesex), Jake Ball (Nottinghamshire)
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