Usman Afzaal has been temporarily released by England back to Nottinghamshire - providing he returns to Lord's tonight to cover for last-minute injuries before the Second Test.

Afzaal has been allowed to go to Southampton for Nottinghamshire's CricInfo Championship game against Hampshire beginning today.

But England do not want a repeat of the First Test when they were forced to call up 17 players because of injuries. Afzaal, who scored a total of six in two innings in the First Test, must return to Lord's tonight and provide cover for any unexpected setbacks overnight.

Once everybody has been cleared tomorrow morning, Afzaal will be allowed to return to Southampton and continue his involvement in Nottinghamshire's game.

His release means England, as expected, have chosen Graham Thorpe and Mark Ramprakash in the middle order, leaving them only to decide between Ashley Giles, Dominic Cork and Chris Silverwood for the final place in their attack.

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