England recall Ollie Pope and Dan Lawrence for Pakistan Tests as Jacob Bethell ruled out
England name a 16-man squad for the first two Tests against Pakistan, featuring recalls for Ollie Pope and Dan Lawrence while Jordan Cox steps up to number three.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Ollie Pope and Dan Lawrence return to the England squad for the opening two Tests against Pakistan.
- Jordan Cox is set to bat at number three to replace Jacob Bethell, who misses the entire series with a knee injury.
- Joe Root returns as interim captain with Marcus Trescothick serving as interim head coach ahead of Stephen Fleming's arrival.
England have named a 16-man squad for their upcoming three-match Test series against Pakistan, getting underway at Headingley on Wednesday 19 August. This upcoming series marks the team's first Test outing since the retirement of captain Ben Stokes and the departure of head coach Brendon McCullum.
Dan Lawrence, 29, earns his recall on the back of impressive domestic form for Surrey. He stands as the second-highest run-scorer in Division One of the County Championship, racking up 788 runs at an average of 65.66, which includes five centuries across 13 innings. Lawrence, whose last of 14 Test caps came in September 2024, is slated to bat at number six to fill the middle-order vacancy left by Stokes' retirement.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Meanwhile, former vice-captain Ollie Pope returns to the fold after being dropped during the New Zealand series following a tough run of form. Pope has also performed strongly for Surrey in the County Championship, compiling 510 runs at 56.66 with five scores over 50. However, he will not automatically walk back into the starting XI in place of Jacob Bethell. Bethell suffered a knee injury during the ODI series against India in July, opening the door for Jordan Cox—who made his Test debut against New Zealand at The Oval—to bat at number three.
"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."
England selection statement
Essex seamer Sam Cook also returns to the international setup for the first time since last summer. The 29-year-old made his debut against Zimbabwe in May 2025. Brydon Carse rejoins the squad after recovering from a broken wrist that sidelined him earlier in the summer, while spinner Shoaib Bashir retains his spot after featuring against New Zealand.
The selection reveals a conservative approach rather than a complete overhaul, relying on proven domestic performers as the team transitions into a new era. While Joe Root captains the side, permanent head coach Stephen Fleming is scheduled to officially take the reins in December when England face South Africa.
Source: BBC Sport
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