London – England could hand Simon Kerrigan a chance to make amends for his debut disaster after adding the Lancashire left-arm spinner to their squad for the second Test against India.
Kerrigan suffered a miserable England debut in the final Test of last year's Ashes series against Australia at The Oval when he recorded figures of none for 53 in eight overs in the first innings and was not asked to bowl in the second.
The 25-year-old hasn't played for England since then, but he had been bowling in the nets at Trent Bridge during the first Test against India, which finished in a draw on Sunday, before joining up with his county for their Championship match against Nottinghamshire in Liverpool.
With quality spin options few and far between since Graeme Swann's retirement, England coach Peter Moores and captain Alastair Cook have opted to take another look at Kerrigan in the build-up to the second Test, which begins at Lord's on Thursday, after their side laboured unsuccessfully to bowl India out twice at Trent Bridge.
“Clearly he had a tough experience in the one Test he played,” Cook told Sky Sports when asked about Kerrigan's recall.
“He's been good around us and bowled beautifully in the nets. We want have an option in case it's hot and dry at Lord's and might spin more,” he added.
“Simon is a tough lad Ä he went away with the (second-string England) Lions and did well.
“I have no doubt in his toughness and he will be a fine bowler for England.”
England Squad
Alastair Cook (Essex, capt), Sam Robson (Middlesex), Gary Ballance (Yorkshire), Ian Bell (Warwickshire), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), Matt Prior (Sussex, wkt), Chris Jordan (Sussex), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Liam Plunkett (Yorkshire), James Anderson (Lancashire), Ben Stokes (Durham), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire), Simon Kerrigan (Lancashire) – Sapa-AFP