Top-order batsmen Dom Sibley and Zak Crawley, who looked clueless against India’s quicks in the first two Tests, have been omitted from the England squad for the third Test in Leeds beginning on August 25.

Left-handed batsman Dawid Malan, one of the regulars of England’s white-ball team, has been included in the 15-man squad. Malan last played a Test in August 2018, versus India at Edgbaston.

According to former captain Kevin Pietersen, Malan should be the one to bat at No.3 for the hosts in the next Test. “Malan, for me, has also proven that he is international class and is an obvious pick to come in and bat at three,” Pietersen wrote in blog.betway.com.

Seamer Saqib Mahmood has been included too, while the medical team will monitor Mark Wood’s right shoulder injury, sustained towards the end of Day IV of the last Test.