New Delhi, August 6: England has recalled batting all-rounder Dan Lawrence to its 16-member squad for the first two Tests against Pakistan. Jordan Cox is set to bat at the number three position.
The Test series between Pakistan and England will kick off on August 19 in Leeds, followed by the second match at Lord’s on August 27. The third and final match will take place in Birmingham starting September 9.
Cox will replace Jacob Bethel in the top order. Bethel sustained an injury to his right knee during the ODI series against India and has not yet recovered, leading to his withdrawal from the entire three-match series.
Lawrence’s selection comes after an impressive County Championship season with Surrey, where he scored five centuries and amassed 788 runs, placing him at the top of Division One. He will bat at number six and is also a skilled off-spinner, which will help address the all-rounder gap following Ben Stokes’ retirement from international cricket.
The selection of the English team involved newly appointed head coach Stephen Fleming and Marcus Trescothick, who will oversee the team as interim head coach during this series before Fleming takes full responsibility.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Ollie Pope and pacer Brydon Carse are making their return to the Test squad for the first time since last winter’s Ashes series, while seamers Sam Cook and Ollie Robinson have also been included.
The England team for the first two Tests against Pakistan includes: Joe Root (captain), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Jordan Cox, Ben Duckett, Matthew Fisher, Emilio Gay, Dan Lawrence, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Jamie Smith, and Josh Tong.
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