Bairstow, Buttler, Curran, Stokes also return, but Woakes, Archer are not fit for selection
The rest of the Test players featuring in the Hundred will be available to their teams for two matches each, including Bairstow, whose return to the Test fray will require his Welsh Fire head coach, Gary Kirsten, to identify a new captain at short notice. The squad will then report to Loughborough on Wednesday, July 28, a week in advance of the Trent Bridge Test.
“A home Test series against India is one of the most anticipated red-ball series and this promises to be an outstanding five Tests,” Silverwood said. “India are a quality team who have shown their ability to get results away from home. We are expecting a highly competitive series and have selected our strongest possible squad.
“The returns of allrounders Ben Stokes and Sam Curran provide balance that allows us to get back to a structure that has been successful in Test cricket.
“Ben’s leadership in the Royal London Series, when he played despite his finger not yet being 100 percent, typified his character and commitment that drives the players around him forward. With Jos and Jonny back in the squad we have added further experience and quality that will be needed against the world’s second-ranked team.”
Robinson, who claimed seven wickets and scored a valuable 42 on his Test debut against New Zealand at Lord’s in June, was withdrawn from the squad ahead of the second Test of that series at Edgbaston, following the emergence of historic tweets of a discriminatory nature. He was handed an eight-match suspension – with five of those suspended for two years – and fined £3200, and the ECB now consider the matter closed.
“We have selected Ollie Robinson after his seven-wicket Test debut against New Zealand,” Silverwood confirmed. “Ollie proved in that Test that he has the ability to replicate his outstanding form in the County Championship at international level and we will continue to work with him to develop his England career.”
England Men’s Test Squad: Joe Root (capt), James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Dom Bess, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Haseeb Hameed, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Dom Sibley, Ben Stokes, Mark Wood
Andrew Miller is UK editor of ESPNcricinfo. @miller_cricket