Ollie Robinson and Ben Stokes were back for England as they named a 17-member squad for the first two Tests against India. Robinson was recently involved in a Twitter racism row and was cleared to play cricket before being banned.

Robinson was banned for eight games, with five deferred, for racist tweets that he posted in 2012 and 2013. Those came to light only during England’s Test against New Zealand at Lord’s in June.

On his England debut, Robinson returned with figures of 4/75 and also played a handy knock of 42 in the series opener at Lord’s. The match was drawn.

During the New Zealand test, England lost their first Test series home in seven years.

First England vs India will be played at Trent Bridge (August 4) and the second will be played at Lord’s (August 12).

England head coach Chris Silverwood said: “We have selected Ollie Robinson after his seven-wicket Test debut against New Zealand.”

“Ollie proved in that Test that he has the ability to replicate his outstanding form in the County Championship at international level and we will continue to work with him to develop his England career,” he added.

Meanwhile, Stokes returned to the Test squad after missing a New Zealand series where England’s batsmen faltered.

With the presence of left-arm pacer Sam Curran, Joe Root gets an additional all-round option, beside Stokes. Pacer Jofra Archer and Chris Woakes have been ruled out due to injuries.

Both Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow were included in the squad. As for bowlers, Jack Leach and Dom Bess were selected as specialist spinners. All the players will be available for the first two rounds of the Hundred, English domestic cricket’s new 100 balls per side competition, before they go off for the Test series.

England Squad: Joe Root (captain), James Anderson, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow, Dom Bess, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Haseeb Hameed, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Dom Sibley, Mark Wood.