England vs Pakistan second ICC Test: James Anderson, Ben Stokes and Adil Rashid recalled

Comeback: James Anderson
Tom Shaw/Getty Images
David Clough18 July 2016

England have named James Anderson, Ben Stokes and Adil Rashid in a 14-man squad for the second Investec Test at Old Trafford.

Anderson and Stokes are both fit again after their respective shoulder and knee injuries - while Rashid, yet to play a home Test, is added as a second spin option to the XI beaten in the first Test at Lord's.

Anderson, England's leading all-time wicket-taker, and key all-rounder Stokes have both proved their fitness by taking part in the ongoing Specsavers County Championship match between Lancashire and Durham at Southport.

England have resisted the temptation to leave out of their calculations any of the team who lost at Lord's.

Pace pair Jake Ball, who made his debut in the first Test, and Steven Finn are therefore both retained - as are middle-order batsmen James Vince and Gary Ballance, as well as off-spinning all-rounder Moeen Ali.

Of the original 12 picked for Lord's, only uncapped seamer Toby Roland-Jones misses out - and will instead join England Lions for their 50-over tri-series against Pakistan and Sri Lanka's A teams.

An England and Wales Cricket Board press release read: "Both Anderson and Stokes, currently playing against each other in the Specsavers County Championship at Southport, have come through the first innings of the match without any issues in respect of their recent injuries.

"Anderson has recovered from a stress fracture of his right shoulder and bowled 22 overs in the match, taking three wickets for 58 runs.

"Stokes, who has not played Test cricket since England's victory over Sri Lanka at Headingley in May, has fully recovered from surgery to address a cartilage tear in his left knee."

Ball reported tightness in his left thigh during the first Test, and his fitness will be monitored before the start of the second match of four on Friday.

Anderson's absence from the squad for the first Test was controversial - amid reports of a difference of opinion between team management and their fellow selectors.

Coach Trevor Bayliss and captain Alastair Cook were understood to be in favour of Anderson's return, only for a majority decision to take no chances with his recovery from an unusual injury.

Bayliss, however, has insisted he was satisfied with discussions - and the marginal call made before Lord's.

"I'm quite happy with the process that took place," he said.

"It was deemed that he needed to prove his fitness in a match, and that was the decision that was made.

"I suppose, if a player is coming back from injury, it's better that he breaks down in a county match than in a Test match."

England squad for second Investec Test against Pakistan, at Old Trafford

AN Cook (Captain), AD Hales, JE Root, JM Vince, GS Ballance, JM Bairstow (wkt), MM Ali, CR Woakes, SCJ Broad, JM Anderson, BA Stokes, ST Finn, AU Rashid, JT Ball

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