Bashir among uncapped trio in England Test squad for India tour
Twenty-year-old spinner only made his first-class debut for Somerset in June
London: Twenty-year-old spinner Shoaib Bashir was on Monday named in England’s 16-man squad for the five-Test series against India along with fellow uncapped bowlers Gus Atkinson and Tom Hartley.
Bashir only made his first-class debut for Somerset in June but is one of four spinners included for the tour, while vice-captain Ollie Pope and Jack Leach return to the team after injuries.
Fast bowler Atkinson and left-arm spinner Hartley have represented England in white-ball cricket but are yet to play at Test level.
Ben Stokes will captain the side after undergoing knee surgery following England’s dismal 50-over World Cup campaign.
Wicketkeeper Ben Foakes is also selected after being left out of England’s Ashes squad, but there is no place for Chris Woakes — player of the series in the 2-2 draw with Australia.
England’s leading Test wicket-taker James Anderson, 41, heads up the pace attack alongside Mark Wood and Ollie Robinson.
The first Test begins on January 25 in Hyderabad.
Squad: Ben Stokes (capt), Rehan Ahmed, James Anderson, Gus Atkinson, Jonny Bairstow, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ben Foakes, Tom Hartley, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Mark Wood
Fixtures
1st Test: January 25-29, Hyderabad
2nd Test: February 2-6, Visakhapatnam
3rd Test: February 15-19, Rajkot
4th Test: February 23-27, Ranchi
5th Test: March 7-11, Dharamsala