Kent's Khan called up to replace Sidebottom in Test squad
Sidebottom has been struggling with injuries since the summer
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Sunday, 07, Dec 2008 09:06
Kent seamer Amjad Khan has been called up to the England Test squad to replace the injured Ryan Sidebottom for the two Tests in India.
Khan has been added to the squad having been with them in Abu Dhabi as part of the performance squad while the security situation in India is being assessed.
Along with Khan, Yorkshire leg-spinner Adil Rashid will also travel to Chennai with the squad for the first Test - although he has not been officially added to the team.
Khan was born in Denmark and has Pakistani parents and admitted he never grew up thinking he would play for England. Despite that he was delighted with the call up.
He said: "It's a dream come true, although I never actually thought of playing for England growing up."
Khan was originally added to the one-day squad hours before the terrorist attacks in Mumbai caused the cancellation of the final two ODIs in India.
Lancashire's Sajid Mahmood was also added to the ODI squad but Khan has impressed the selectors more during recent practice to earn the call up to the Test squad for the first time.
"I must have done something right in the last couple of days," said Khan.
"Saj and I got picked for the one-dayers and I thought if they were going to pick me then there was no reason they should not pick me for the Tests.
"I thought I had a chance but I knew it would come down to form on the day - that sort of stuff."
Khan, 28, has taken 211 wickets in 63 first-class matches for Kent at an average of 31.39 and a strike rate of 48.3.
The Kent bowler reportedly impressed coach Peter Moores and captain Kevin Pietersen with his pace and ability to reverse-swing the ball during three days of practice in Abu Dhabi.