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England Cricket Board (ECB) on August 6 announced their 16-member Test squad for the Test series against Pakistan which is scheduled to begin on August 19 at Headingley, Leeds. With Ben Stokes retiring, Jacob Bethell and Ollie Robinson injured, England have recalled former vice-captain Ollie Pope along with Dan Lawrence, fit-again Brydon Carse and Sam Cook. Also, selector Marcus North has confirmed Jordan Cox for the no.3 role in Bethell’s absence.
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Cox is used to batting in the top order. He has opened in 30 innings in his first-class cricket. However, he has batted only once at no.3 in red-ball cricket.
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28-year-old Pope has got a second life despite averaging 34.55 from 64 Tests. Lawrence has been rewarded for his performances in County Championship. He is yet to score a century from 14 Tests. He averages nearly 27 in Tests. Also, he can contribute with off-spin even though he has just three wickets in Tests. He was picked over Will Jacks who hasn’t played a Test since the Ashes 2025-26.
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Why Curran wasn’t picked?
With Stokes retired, Sam Curran was considered for a comeback as the fast-bowling all-rounder. But, he is yet to be fully ready for the bowling workload of red-ball cricket since getting injured.
Rehan dropped despite good record vs Pakistan
Rehan Ahmed is the only player who has been dropped from the squad. 21-year-old Ahmed hasn't played a Test since October 2024. He had made his Test debut against Pakistan as well. From two Tests against them, he has 11 wickets at an average of 18.45 but it did not earn him a place in the squad.
What did the selector say?
North explained why Lawrence has returned and Cox will bat at no.3 despite Pope’s comeback.
"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,” North said.
"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 second Test will be played at the Lord's, London. ECB is yet to announce the squad for the third Test which will be hosted at Edgbaston, Birmingham. For the Test series against Pakistan, Marcus Trescothick will be the interim head coach. The new head coach Stephen Fleming does not take over until the tour of South Africa.
England’s Test squad for first two Tests vs Pakistan -
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, Josh Tongue.
Where are England in WTC 2025-27 table?
England cannot qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 final. They are currently placed seventh on the points table with a win percentage of 24.37. They have seven losses, one draw and four wins from 13 Tests.
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