• Overton, Bethell back in England Test squad

    Jamie Overton has been handed a surprise recall to the England squad for the first Test against India while Jacob Bethell’s return creates a top-order selection headache.

    Overton has been a regular in England’s white-ball set-up but won his solitary Test cap against New Zealand in 2022, taking two wickets and hitting an unexpected 97 with the bat.

    It is unclear whether the all-rounder will be fully fit to take the field at Headingley on 20 June, having broken a finger during the recent ODIs against the West Indies.

    The ECB said the 31-year-old will be “assessed and reviewed daily” by its medical team.

    Overton’s Surrey teammate Gus Atkinson is not fit after injuring his hamstring in England’s Test win against Zimbabwe last month.

    England have brought back pacemen Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse, both of whom missed the early part of the season with injury problems.

    Woakes could edge out Sam Cook, who retains his place in the squad after a quiet debut against Zimbabwe.

    Rising star Bethell is back from IPL duty after winning the tournament with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

    The 21-year-old impressed during his debut Test series in New Zealand in November and December, scoring three half-centuries at No 3, and averages 52.

    Vice-captain Ollie Pope and Zak Crawley were thought to be under pressure from Bethell’s reintroduction but the pair both scored hundreds against Zimbabwe.

    The Test at Headingley is the first in a five-match series.

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

    © Agence France-Presse

    Photo: Alex Davidson/Getty Images

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    Simon Borchardt