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England Cricket Board (ECB) has announced Ben Stokes-led 16-member Test squad for the five-match Test series starting January 2024 against India. Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, and Tom Hartley are three uncapped players who have been included in the Test squad.
Stokes who went under the knife on his left knee in November is expected to recover in time for the Test series. However, there is a big question mark whether he will be able to contribute with the ball or not.
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Wicketkeeper-batter Ben Foakes has been recalled whereas Chris Woakes has been dropped. Given the nature of pitches in India, Jack Leach has been recalled as well alongside Ollie Pope.
England have opted for four speciallist spinners including Rehan Ahmed. Also, former England skipper Joe Root is capable of contributing on a spin track considering he picked up a fifer in the Ahmedabad Test last time.
The squad has four pacers in veteran James Anderson, Ollie Robinson, tearaway speedster Mark Wood and newbie Atkinson.
Bashir's maiden call-up has raised a few eyebrows as he made his First-Class debut in June 2023. He has just 10 wickets from six First-Class games for Somerset and his best bowling figures are 3/67. His only notable performance of 6 for 42 came against Afghanistan's A team. On the other hand, left-arm spinner Hartley is capable of darting in deliveries to right-handed batters at a good pace.
England will begin their preparatory camp in UAE in mid-January before taking the flight to Hyderabad, India where the first Test is scheduled to start on January 25.
Meanwhile, the England Lions (A) squad will be travelling to India as well. In case of any injuries, the visitors will have replacements ready from the senior squad.
England Test squad: 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, Ben Stokes (captain), Mark Wood
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