Sunday 13 July 2014 21:59, UK
England have recalled Simon Kerrigan for the second Test against India which begins at Lord's this Thursday.
Lancashire's left-arm spinner is included in a 14-man squad for the first time since nerves affected his debut against Australia in last year's fifth Ashes Test.
On that occasion he bowled just eight overs and conceded 53 runs, and Monty Panesar was preferred for the winter tour to Australia.
Graeme Swann has since retired and England have gone into all three Tests this summer without a recognised front-line spin bowler, winning none of them.
Kerrigan, who worked under England coach Peter Moores at Old Trafford, bowled in the nets during this week's drawn opener against India at Trent Bridge and takes his place in the squad for Lord's as part of an otherwise-unchanged group.
Captain Alastair Cook said: "Clearly he had a tough experience in that one Test match he played, but his record is a stand-out record for people playing in first-class cricket.
"He has been really good around us for the last couple of days, he bowled beautifully in the nets and we just want to have an option. We want to have our options in case it's hot and dry at Lord’s. It can spin there as well.
“He’s a tough lad, he’s fought his way back from that and he has gone away with the Lions and done well.
"It will obviously be interesting to see how he copes, but I have absolutely no doubt in his toughness and that he will be able to do that - and that he will be a fine bowler for England.”
Kerrigan said: "Obviously there have been some testing times but hopefully I’ve learned quite a lot from that and keep progressing, keep learning.
“Bowling spin, as well as there being a lot of technical aspects to it, there is a lot of mental strength that you need.
“You are going to get hit, you are going to have times that you need to bounce back and I’m going on the way to doing that.”
He added: "I keep striving for perfection and keep working towards my goal, which is to get into the England side and to bowl well for England. It's a really good set-up with Peter Moores, Paul Farbrace and Chris Taylor so I hope I can take a lot from last week into this week.
"The week with England has definitely helped. I know a lot of the lads from previous trips and familiar faces help. Hopefully I get a chance to show off my skills, what I do in county cricket, on the big stage."
Squad: Cook, Ali, Anderson, Ballance, Bell, Broad, Jordan, Kerrigan, Plunkett, Prior, Robson, Root, Stokes, Woakes.
The second Test between England and India is live on Sky Sports. Coverage begins at 10am on Sky Sports 2 on Thursday.
