Malan called up for one game with Tom Curran battling a side strain; India call for reinforcements after Bumrah and Sundar injuries
Sunday 1 July 2018 13:42, UK
Dawid Malan has been called into England's squad for the first Twenty20 international against India at Old Trafford on Tuesday as cover for Tom Curran.
Seam bowler Curran has a side strain but is expected to be fit for the final two games of the series, at Cardiff on Friday and at Bristol on Sunday.
Batsman Malan scored 78 on his Twenty20 international debut against South Africa in Cardiff last June, and he then struck three fifties in four innings during the T20 tri-series in Australia and New Zealand in February.
Speaking on his call-up while commentating on the Royal London One-Day Cup final between Hampshire and Kent for Sky Sports, Malan said: "I got a message from [national selector] Ed Smith saying I had been called up for one game. I'm just delighted to be part of the squad.
"[T20] gave me a great opportunity to show what I could do as a player and express myself. It's nice to be in and around it again and back around the England boys and hopefully I get an opportunity."
India, meanwhile, will be without seamer Jasprit Bumrah (left thumb) for the three T20 matches, with the bowler injuring himself during the victory over Ireland at Malahide on Wednesday.
Bumrah, who has been replaced in the T20 squad by Deepak Chahar, is expected to be fit for the three ODIs that follow, which will take place at Trent Bridge (July 12), Lord's (July 14) and Headingley (July 17).
All-rounder Washington Sundar is out of both series due to an ankle injury, with Krunal Pandya called for the T20s and Axar Patel for the ODIs.
See if Malan earns a sixth T20I cap when England take on India on Tuesday. The match at Old Trafford is live on Sky Sports Cricket (channel 404) and Sky Sports Main Event (401) from 5pm.
Watch England take on India in three T20s, three ODIs and five Tests - with every ball live on Sky Sports Cricket.
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