Dom Sibley and Zak Crawley have both endured difficult years and have been released back to their counties, Warwickshire & Kent
Dawid Malan has been added to England’s Test squad, with Dom Sibley and Zak Crawley both omitted.
Malan, who has earned 15 caps, returns to the Test fold for the first time since August 2018, when he was part of England’s side that beat India at Edgbaston.
Sibley and Crawley have both endured difficult years and have been released back to their counties, Warwickshire and Kent.
“Dawid Malan deserves his opportunity in the Test arena,” said head coach Chris Silverwood. “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.
“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 is returning to Somerset but will remain on standby for Moeen Ali
Saqib Mahmood has been included once again, while Jack Leach will return to Somerset but remain on standby as back-up for Moeen Ali. Mark Wood, who injured his right shoulder during England’s defeat at Lord’s but continued bowling at pace, is being monitored. He is expected to make a full recovery in time for the third Test at Headingley.
Silverwood added: “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.
“We are hopeful that Mark Wood will be fit after injuring his right shoulder in the first Test. Our medical team will be working with him each day. We will monitor where he is at when we get to Leeds.”
England squad: Joe Root (c), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Haseeb Hameed, Dan Lawrence, Saqib Mahmood, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Mark Wood