ECB Announces Squad for First Test against India

England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has recently announced the 13-man squad which will be playing the first Test in the five-match Test series against India.

Cricket news: Woakes is not selected as he needs more time

Adil Rashid, who played extremely well in the limited overs format, has expectedly made his comeback to the side. Rashid had last played a Test match back in December 2016 during the tour to India.

Having some brilliant performances in the domestic season for the past few seasons, Jamie Porter has also earned his maiden call-up to the senior squad.

Moeen Ali, who was dropped in the series against Pakistan, has made his way back. He was one of the chief destructor during India’s last visit to England in 2014.

Despite having performed well in the last series, Dominic Bess has been dropped. Joe Root will be leading the team from number 3 position while Keaton Jennings is said to partner Alastair Cook at the top of the order.

The selection committee later confirmed Woakes’ absence in the team and told that he needs more time to recover fully from his knee and thigh injury.

“The selection panel felt that Chris Woakes needed a little more time to regain full form. We are keen to avoid rushing him back from injury too soon. Chris will combine playing for Warwickshire in T20s alongside building up red ball fitness and workload with the England coaches,” the National selector Ed Smith said according to the official website of ECB.

Although Dom Bess and Jack Leach are not selected, yet they will train with the rest of the team. Leach was unlucky not to be picked because of several injuries while Bess was not picked because of his fewer opportunities in the County Championship despite performing well in the debut series against Pakistan.

Here is the 13-man squad of England for the first Test against India:

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