Dan Lawrence has earned a recall to the England Test squad for the upcoming three-match series against Pakistan, a move that sees him batting at No. 6. Jordan Cox has been selected to bat at No. 3, filling the void left by Jacob Bethell, who has been ruled out of the series with a right knee injury.
Lawrence's return comes after a two-year absence from the Test side, rewarded for a strong performance in the County Championship season. His inclusion also provides England with an all-round option, likely occupying the role vacated by Ben Stokes' international retirement, with his offspin capabilities noted. Rehan Ahmed was overlooked for this position.
Cox and Lawrence are part of a 16-man squad announced on Thursday for the initial two Tests. The squad also features the return of Ollie Pope as a spare wicketkeeper-batter, having been dropped during last winter's Ashes. Brydon Carse makes a comeback after recovering from wrist and elbow injuries that disrupted his domestic summer. Seamer Sam Cook also returns after a single appearance against Zimbabwe last summer. Ollie Robinson, who was not part of the final two New Zealand Tests despite a strong showing in the first, is also included.
The selection process involved input from Stephen Fleming, who will oversee this series before fully taking charge as head coach. This is also the first squad Joe Root will oversee as Test captain since succeeding Ben Stokes. The series opener is scheduled for August 19 at Headingley, Root's home ground.
The team had initially hoped Bethell would be fit for the series, having missed the Hundred due to a knee issue that surfaced during the ODI series with India. However, his continued absence has opened the door for Cox to bat at first-drop. Cox made his Test debut earlier this summer at No. 7 in the second New Zealand Test at The Oval.
Cox's opportunity at No. 3 comes full circle from a planned tour of New Zealand in 2024, where he was set to keep wicket for Jamie Smith. Bethell ultimately debuted at No. 3 in that series due to Cox breaking his finger in practice. Cox has only batted at No. 3 once in first-class cricket but has opened 30 times for Kent.
Lawrence's recall follows his previous appearances as an opener in three of his 14 Test caps against Sri Lanka in the 2024 season. He is currently the second-highest run-scorer in Division One of the County Championship, with 788 runs at an average of 65.66 and a strike rate of 80.40. His five first-class centuries this season are the most by any player, and his fingerspin offers the option to play an additional pace bowler. Shoaib Bashir remains the primary spin option in the squad.
Sam Curran was considered for a recall in Ben Stokes' absence but was not deemed physically ready for Test cricket following an injury-plagued summer. James Rew and Sonny Baker, who debuted at The Oval in June, were not selected.
The national selector stated, "We have selected a squad for the first two Tests that balances rising talent with the experience needed against a quality Pakistan team. Dan Lawrence returns following an exceptional season so far with Surrey and we believe he has the right level of experience, maturity and skill to complement our middle order. Jordan Cox is well regarded as one of the most exciting talents in English cricket and will have the opportunity to bat at [No.] 3 in place of Jacob Bethell, who sadly misses this series through injury."
The squad for the first two Tests 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 Tongue.
The Pakistan squad is captained by Babar Azam and features players such as Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shan Masood.
The first Test is scheduled for August 19-23 at Headingley, followed by the second Test from August 27-31 at Lord's, and the third Test from September 9-13 at Edgbaston.
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Jordan CoxJacob BethellDan LawrenceOllie PopeBrydon CarseSam CookPakistanEnglandPakistan tour of EnglandICC World Test Championship
