Fast bowler Saqib Mahmood hopes to play for England in the next Ashes series, despite signing a white-ball contract with Lancashire

Saqib Mahmood is hoping he can force his way into England’s plans for next winter’s Ashes, despite signing a white-ball contract with his province.

The fast bowler played two Test matches in the West Indies in March 2022 but subsequently suffered consecutive stress fractures 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’ for him to play red-ball cricket.

But while that news seemed to suggest the 27-year-old was making the switch from the longer format, he insists he is as keen as ever to return to the Test fold.

“I would love to play Test cricket again,” Mahmood told Mail Sport. ‘If I can get through the winter injury-free again, maybe next summer I can get my hands on a red ball and try to get back into that Test team.

The 27-year-old has not played international Test cricket since but is eyeing an Ashes spot

Mahmood (right) represented England against Australia in a T20 international in September

‘I got through this summer without any injuries and hopefully I can now continue to do the right things and that’s all behind me. But I just 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 they are keen to select players regardless of the number of red ball appearances.

Mahmood is also one of the few genuine fast bowlers in the country, with England making no secret of its 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 that, which I hope, then hopefully it will be good enough,” says Mahmood, speaking at the launch of cinch’s new store in Manchester.

‘I’d like to think over the next six to 12 months, as I get stronger, my pace needs to pick up again. At my best I reach a high speed of 130 to 140 km/h and am fairly consistent with my skills. In red-ball cricket I feel I can maintain the 80s and push myself into the high 80s whenever there is an opportunity to attack or if there is a reverse swing.

‘Australia is a country I have enjoyed in the past. I had success in the Big Bash. I bowl that slightly fuller length and I feel like there is a lot more to the game.

“Australians are built on the back foot game, while my length, attacking the stumps a bit more, was quite effective. Even when I went to Perth for an Under 19s tour as a youngster I had a lot of success.”

Mahmood returned to England in the T20 series against Australia last month 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 am trying to get into both white-ball teams and secure my place. If it happens, the Test stuff will take care of itself in the future.”