The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced a 16-member squad for the first two matches of the three-match Test series against Pakistan, starting on August 19. This will be England’s first Test series following Ben Stokes’ retirement from Test cricket, with experienced batter Joe Root set to captain the team.

England has recalled four players for this series. Dan Lawrence, Ollie Pope, Brydon Carse, and Sam Cook have been included in the squad. Dan Lawrence has been rewarded for his outstanding batting performance in the County Championship Division 1. Meanwhile, Sam Cook made his Test debut against Zimbabwe last summer.

Brydon Carse and Ollie Pope have also returned to the Test squad after a long hiatus; both players are part of the England Test team for the first time since the last Ashes series.

Jacob Bethell ruled out due to injury

England has suffered a major blow ahead of the series with the loss of all-rounder Jacob Bethell. He sustained a knee injury during the recent ODI series against India, ruling him out of the entire Test series against Pakistan.

Jordan Cox has been named as his replacement. Cox made his Test debut against New Zealand at The Kia Oval earlier this year and will now have the opportunity to prove himself against Pakistan.

Test series to be played at three venues

The first Test between England and Pakistan will be played at Headingley, Leeds, starting on August 19. The second match is scheduled for August 27 at the historic Lord’s Cricket Ground in London, while the third and final Test will begin on September 9 at Edgbaston, Birmingham.

England’s squad for the first two Tests

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.

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