India v England: Shoaib Bashir and James Anderson named in squad for second Test

Off-spinner Shoaib Bashir will make his England debut in the second Test against India in Visakhapatnam.

The 20-year-old replaces the injured Jack Leach, while James Anderson comes in for Mark Wood.

Bashir first came to the attention of England captain Ben Stokes when a video of him bowling for Somerset was posted on Twitter, now X.

“I’m fully backing him and looking forward to him hopefully putting on a show,” said Stokes.

Though Bashir has played only six first-class matches, England believe his height and the amount he tries to spin the ball can make him an asset in India.

Bashir’s selection for this tour was similarly left-field to that of Lancashire left-arm spinner Tom Hartley, who picked up 7-62 in the second innings of England’s stunning 28-run win in the first Test in Hyderabad.

Speaking to BBC Sport, Stokes said: “He possesses that natural ability, where he releases the ball from and how much energy he tries to put on the ball.

“Someone releasing the ball from height and putting that much on the ball is going to get that natural variation. That is very hard to play against out here. Some balls will spin, some will skid on.”

England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes, Ben Foakes, Rehan Ahmed, Tom Hartley, Shoaib Bashir, James Anderson.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/68164293