England call up Khan, Rashid
Monday, 8 December 2008
Kent fast bowler Amjad Khan (28) has been added to England's squad for the two-Test series in India, reports BBC.
And Yorkshire leg-spinner Adil Rashid (20) will also travel to Chennai if the tour goes ahead but has not been officially added to the squad.
The two newcomers have been promoted from the Performance group currently with the senior squad in Abu Dhabi.
But the players are still awaiting a security report on India before making a final decision on whether to tour.
Khan has been named as the official replacement for Ryan Sidebottom, who has endured an injury-plagued year and will play no part in India.
"I must have done something right in the last couple of days," said Khan, who was given the nod ahead of Lancashire's Sajid Mahmood.
"Saj and I got picked for the one-dayers and I thought if they were going to then, there was no reason they should not pick me for the Tests.
"I thought I had a chance but I knew it would come down to form on the day - that sort of stuff."
Sidebottom's Notting-hamshire team-mate Stuart Broad is not in the running for the first Test with a hamstring injury.
But if the tour is confirmed, he will fly directly from the UK to Chennai in an attempt to force his way into the side for the second match in Mohali.
The other players are spending Sunday in Abu Dhabi, waiting for ECB managing director High Morris to report back to them on the security situation in Chennai.
They are then due to fly onto the southern Indian city Monday should there be a collective agreement to tour.
However, individual players may still pull out, which would improve Khan's chances of a first Test cap.
And Yorkshire leg-spinner Adil Rashid (20) will also travel to Chennai if the tour goes ahead but has not been officially added to the squad.
The two newcomers have been promoted from the Performance group currently with the senior squad in Abu Dhabi.
But the players are still awaiting a security report on India before making a final decision on whether to tour.
Khan has been named as the official replacement for Ryan Sidebottom, who has endured an injury-plagued year and will play no part in India.
"I must have done something right in the last couple of days," said Khan, who was given the nod ahead of Lancashire's Sajid Mahmood.
"Saj and I got picked for the one-dayers and I thought if they were going to then, there was no reason they should not pick me for the Tests.
"I thought I had a chance but I knew it would come down to form on the day - that sort of stuff."
Sidebottom's Notting-hamshire team-mate Stuart Broad is not in the running for the first Test with a hamstring injury.
But if the tour is confirmed, he will fly directly from the UK to Chennai in an attempt to force his way into the side for the second match in Mohali.
The other players are spending Sunday in Abu Dhabi, waiting for ECB managing director High Morris to report back to them on the security situation in Chennai.
They are then due to fly onto the southern Indian city Monday should there be a collective agreement to tour.
However, individual players may still pull out, which would improve Khan's chances of a first Test cap.