Haseeb Hameed has been drafted into England's squad for the first two Tests against India. The 17-member squad also includes Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler Sam Curran, and Ollie Robinson. Meanwhile, Jofra Archer and Chris Woakes have been forced to miss out because of injuries. James Anderson and Stuart Broad will the seam bowling unit. Haseeb Hameed of Nottinghamshire, who is playing in the three-day practice match against India. Hameed last featured in England's Test squad in three matches during the India tour in 2016. He was dropped after a poor run of form but has made a comeback after promising returns this season. The opener has scored 642 runs from nine matches in the County Championship at an average of 45.85 and has scored two centuries and four half-centuries. Last month, Hameed also was added as a cover to England's squad for the New Zealand Test series.
A home Test series against India is one of the most anticipated red-ball series and this promises to be an outstanding five Tests," head coach Chris Silverwood said. "India are a quality team who have shown their ability to get results away from home. We are expecting a highly competitive series and have selected our strongest possible squad."The returns of all-rounders Ben Stokes and Sam Curran provide balance that allows us to get back to a structure that has been successful in Test cricket. Ben's leadership in the series against Pakistan, when he played despite his finger not yet being 100 percent, typified his character and commitment that drives the players around him forward. With Jos and Jonny back in the squad, we have added further experience and quality that will be needed against the world's second-ranked team. "We have selected Ollie Robinson after his seven-wicket Test debut against New Zealand. Ollie proved in that Test that he has the ability to replicate his outstanding form in the County Championship at the international level and we will continue to work with him to develop his England career. "The five-match series starts with the opening Test at Trent Bridge in Nottingham on August 4.
Squad: Joe Root (c), James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Dom Bess, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Haseeb Hameed, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Dom Sibley, Ben Stokes, Mark Wood.
