Reports: Saqib Mahmood set to make Test debut in Barbados

The 25-year-old Saqib Mahmood will make his Test debut in Barbados, after Mark Wood was ruled out during the first Test with an injury on his right elbow. Wood, who sustained the injury during the first innings of the first Test, won’t be fit in time to take place in the playing XI for the second Test, starting Wednesday. 

Mahmood made his impact earlier with the white-ball, against Pakistan and later against West Indies. Ollie Robinson continues to be out, with reports pointing out that the management is keen on giving the seamer ample time to recover from his injury. 

"The one thing is he's very mature for a guy who hasn't played a huge amount of international cricket; he has an understanding of how he wants to operate,” Root said of Mahmood, who will take Wood’s place in the English playing XI. 

"He's been very impressive, he's got a slightly different trajectory and will give us a point of difference. He has done when he's played in other formats. Clearly he has good control, especially if the ball moves with reverse swing. It's a great option to have up our sleeve."

The Cricketer reported that there is a possibility for Robinson to return for the third Test, in Grenada next week. Despite a string of low scores, Tom Lees is expected to continue at the top of the order for the second Test. 

England: Lees, Crawley, Root, Lawrence, Stokes, Bairstow, Foakes, Woakes, Overton, Leach, Mahmood