Rashid, Anderson, Stokes added to Test squad

Pace bowler Anderson - his country's leading Test wicket-taker - and all-rounder Stokes were anticipated to be included after returning from respective shoulder and knee injuries in Lancashire's County Championship match against Durham at Southport last week.

England leg-spinner Adil Rashid (in picture) could replace Moeen Ali in the second Test at Old Trafford.

Adil Rashid has been called into a 14-man England squad for the second Test with Pakistan at Old Trafford, together with the fit-again duo of James Anderson and Ben Stokes.

Pace bowler Anderson - his country's leading Test wicket-taker - and all-rounder Stokes were anticipated to be included after returning from respective shoulder and knee injuries in Lancashire's County Championship match against Durham at Southport last week.

However, England's selectors have also moved to bring in an additional slow-bowling option, with leg-spinner Rashid included at the expense of Toby Roland-Jones - who was included in the first-Test squad but failed to earn a maiden international cap.

England was beaten by 75 runs in the series opener at Lord's as Pakistan leggie Yasir Shah picked up 10 wickets, with the omissions of Anderson and Stokes a major talking point given the duo were fit enough to feature for their counties.

The duo appear certain to be restored to Alastair Cook's side at Old Trafford, with seamers Steven Finn and Jake Ball - who is suffering from tightness in his left thigh - seemingly the most likely men to make way.

Rashid's call-up raises questions over the place of Moeen Ali, although it is possible both spin-bowling all-rounders could be selected - as they were for Rashid's previous three Test outings against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates last year.

The places of either James Vince or Gary Ballance could be under threat if England opt to go with two spinners in Manchester.

 

England squad for second Test against Pakistan: Alastair Cook (captain), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Gary Ballance, Jake Ball, Stuart Broad, Steven Finn, Alex Hales, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, James Vince, Chris Woakes.