Uncapped all-rounder James Coles has been added to England’s team for the T20 series against India next month.
The talented 22-year-old bowls left-arm spin and has been batting in the top three for his county, Sussex. He most recently played for the England Lions against South Africa.
London Spirit paid £390,000 ($516,000) to recruit Coles earlier this year, drawing the highest bid at the first-ever Hundred player auction.
“James Coles is an exciting addition and has earned his place following his performances with the England Lions and in T20 competitions here and abroad during the past 12 months,” AFP quoted national selector Marcus North as saying.
Coles is a member of a 17-man squad for the five-match series, which starts on July 1 in Durham, two days after England’s third Test match against New Zealand is scheduled to conclude at Trent Bridge.
Lancashire pacer Saqib Mahmood is back in the T20 squad for the first time since January, while Jordan Cox and Sonny Baker, who made their Test debuts together in last week’s loss at the Oval, are included. Jamie Overton and Brydon Carse are sidelined by injuries.
“We have selected a larger squad to accommodate for the fact that this series will begin shortly after the Test series against New Zealand is due to conclude which allows us to be flexible,” North said.
England squad: Harry Brook (capt), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Sonny Baker, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, James Coles, Jordan Cox, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Will Jacks, Saqib Mahmood, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Josh Tongue, Luke Wood
