England have called back Dawid Malan while dropping Dom Sibley for the third Test against India at Headingley starting August 25.
Malan, who last played a Test for England back in 2018, has scored 724 runs in 15 matches at an average of just 27.84. In his only appearance in the County Championship this season, he scored a magnificent 199 against Sussex at Headingley. England’s head coach Chris Silverwood believes that Malan will come good on his home turf.
In a statement released by the England and Wales Cricket Board, Silverwood said:
“Dawid Malan deserves his opportunity in the Test arena. 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. He has shown what he is capable of, scoring a highly accomplished 199 for Yorkshire against Sussex at Headingley in June.”
The opening batter Dom Sibley, who was one of the key batters towards England’s change of approach, found himself at the wrong end of the stick after a string of low scores. After a terrific year in 2020, where he scored 615 runs averaging 47.30, Sibley has only managed 356 runs this year at an average of 19.77.
“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.”
Zak Crawley, who has an awful average of 11.14 in seven Tests this year, was replaced by Haseeb Hameed in the last game and has been released from the squad. England are likely to go in with a top three of Rory Burns, Hameed and Malan at Headingley.
Mark Wood suffered a shoulder injury while diving on the boundary line during the second Test and although he bowled on the last day of the match, there were concerns about his availability for the third match. Silverwood has asserted that Wood will recover in time.
The hosts have Saqib Mahmood and Craig Overton in the squad as other pace bowling options yet to feature in the series.
England are trailing the five-match series against India by 0-1 and will be desperate to level the series at Headingley.
