England name 14-member squad for India Test series, featuring a major surprise

Jamie Overton received a surprise call-up to the England squad for the first Test against India on Thursday, while Jacob Bethell’s return poses a selection dilemma for the top order. Overton, a regular in England’s white-ball teams, has only one Test appearance to his name against New Zealand in 2022 where he took two wickets and scored an unexpected 97 runs.

However, his fitness for the match at Headingley on June 20 remains uncertain after breaking a finger in recent one-day internationals against the West Indies.

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The England and Wales Cricket Board stated that the 31-year-old will be “assessed and reviewed daily” by their medical team.Overton’s Surrey teammate, Gus Atkinson, is sidelined with a hamstring injury sustained during England’s Test victory over Zimbabwe last month.

England have recalled pacers Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse, both recovering from injuries that kept them out earlier in the season. Woakes may replace Sam Cook, who remains in the squad despite a quiet debut against Zimbabwe. Young talent Jacob Bethell returns from IPL duty after helping Royal Challengers Bengaluru win the tournament.

Vice-captain Ollie Pope and Zak Crawley faced pressure with Bethell’s return, but both responded by scoring centuries against Zimbabwe.

England Squad: Ben Stokes (capt), Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wkt), Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes