- Saqib Mahmood signed a three-year contract with Lancashire on Friday
- But the 27-year-old fast bowler is hoping to represent England in the Ashes.
- The next Ashes series will start in November 2025 and end in January 2026.
Saqib Mahmood will be hoping to force his way into England’s plans for next winter’s Ashes, despite signing a white-ball contract with his county.
The fast bowler played two Test matches in the West Indies in March 2022, but then suffered consecutive stress fractures in his back and has not worn England whites since.
On Friday, Lancashire announced that Mahmood had signed a three-year white-ball contract, with only an “option” to play red-ball cricket.
But while that news seemed to suggest the 27-year-old was leaving the longer format, he insists he is as eager as ever to return to the Test group.
“I would love to play Test cricket again,” Mahmood tells Mail Sport. “If I can get through the winter injury-free again, maybe I can have a red ball in my hand next summer and try to get back into that trial team.”
Fast bowler Saqib Mahmood played two Tests for England in the West Indies in March 2022.
The 27-year-old has not played international Test cricket since but is gunning for a place in the Ashes.
Mahmood (right) represented England against Australia in a T20 international in September.
“I went through this summer without any injuries and I hope I can continue doing things well now and all that is behind me.” But I have to be smart.
Mahmood has played just four county championship matches since his two Tests in the Caribbean, when he took six wickets at 22.83.
However, under the leadership of Rob Key, Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes, England have shown that they are happy to select players regardless of their number of red ball appearances.
Mahmood is also one of the few genuine fast bowlers in the country, and England have made no secret of their desire to bring a “battery of fast bowlers” to Australia next winter.
“I know what I bring to the table and if it’s something that fits the bill, which I hope it does, then I hope it’s good enough,” says Mahmood, speaking at the launch of cinch’s new store in Manchester .
‘I’d like to think that over the next six to 12 months, as I continue to get stronger, my pace should increase again. At my best, I go between 80 and 90 mph and I’m pretty consistent with my ability. In red ball cricket, I feel I can maintain 80 degrees and push myself to 80 as soon as there is a chance to attack or there is a reverse swing.
‘Australia is a place I have enjoyed in the past. I have been successful in the Big Bash. I play with that a little bit fuller length and I feel like there’s a lot more to the game.
“The Australians rely on back-foot play, while my length, attacking the stumps a bit more, has been quite effective. Even when I went to Perth young on an under-19 tour, I had a lot of success.’
Mahmood returned to the England fold last month in the T20 series against Australia and is part of their squad for the upcoming white-ball tour of the West Indies.
“I haven’t had any conversations about Test cricket yet,” he adds. “I have the Caribbean tour in mind and I am trying to enter both white ball teams and secure my place. The test material will take care of itself in the future if this happens.