England has finalized a 16-man squad for the opening two Tests against Pakistan, headlined by the return of Ollie Pope, Brydon Carse, and Dan Lawrence. The selection comes with a significant setback, as Jacob Bethell has been ruled out of the entire three-match series due to a knee injury sustained during last month’s ODI series against India.
Dan Lawrence makes his return to the Test setup for the first time in two years, bolstered by a prolific County Championship season with Surrey where he currently ranks as the second-highest run-scorer in Division One. He is expected to slot into the middle order at No. 6, a move that shifts Jamie Smith down to No. 7. Meanwhile, Jordan Cox, who debuted against New Zealand at The Oval, will step into the No. 3 position to cover for the absent Bethell.
The squad also features a recall for pacer Sam Cook, while Pope and Carse rejoin the fold for the first time since the Ashes series in Australia. Notable omissions from the group that played the final Test against New Zealand include the retired Ben Stokes, the injured Bethell, and legspinner Rehan Ahmed, who has been left out of the selection.
This series marks a new chapter for England in the post-Stokes and Brendon McCullum era, with Joe Root returning to the full-time captaincy. While Stephen Fleming has been appointed as the new Test coach, he will not assume his duties until the tour of South Africa later this year; consequently, Marcus Trescothick will serve as the interim head coach for the Pakistan assignment.
England men’s national selector Marcus North emphasized the need for a balanced side, stating, “We have selected a squad for the first two Tests that balances rising talent with the experience needed against a quality Pakistan team.” North specifically praised Lawrence’s form and maturity, noting his skill will complement the middle order, and expressed confidence in Cox’s potential to perform at the No. 3 spot.
The series is scheduled to begin on August 19 at Headingley, followed by the second Test at Lord’s starting August 27, and the finale at Edgbaston on September 9. Currently, England sits seventh in the World Test Championship standings, one spot ahead of eighth-placed Pakistan, who recently leveled their series against the West Indies.
The 29-year-old is set to slot in at No.
7 after batting a position higher in England’s recent Test series against New Zealand.
“Jordan Cox is well regarded as one of the most exciting talents in English cricket and will have the opportunity to bat at 3 in place of Jacob Bethell, who sadly misses this series through injury.”
Carse had been sidelined for a few months with injury, while Pope was dropped altogether after middling returns with the bat.
The Test series against Pakistan, which begins on August 19 in Headingley, will also mark the first assignment for England in the post Stokes-Brendon McCullum era, with Joe Root returning as full-time captain of the Test side since stepping down from the role in 2022.
