England have announced their squad for the first two Tests of the upcoming three-match Test series against Pakistan. The biggest talking point is the absence of Ben Stokes, who has retired from Test cricket, leaving England with a major gap to fill.
The series will also mark Joe Root’s return as England’s Test captain. Root last led the side in 2022 before stepping down, with Stokes taking over the role. Now, Root is back in charge as England begin a new chapter.
Dan Lawrence has earned a recall to the England Test squad after a gap of two years. He is expected to bat at No. 6 and is viewed as the closest replacement available for Ben Stokes.
However, Lawrence is not a like-for-like replacement. England ideally wanted a pace-bowling all-rounder to replace Stokes, but with no suitable option available, they have opted for Lawrence. His ability to contribute useful off-spin alongside his batting gives the team greater flexibility and allows them to include an extra fast bowler in the playing XI.
Rehan Ahmed has missed out on selection.
Jordan Cox is set to bat at No. 3 after making his Test debut against New Zealand lower down the order at No. 7.
The opportunity has come because Jacob Bethell has been ruled out with a right knee injury. There was optimism that Bethell would recover in time for the series, but he has failed to regain full fitness.
England’s selectors have now decided to give Cox an extended opportunity in the crucial No. 3 position.
Jordan Cox has had to be patient for his opportunity in England’s Test side.
Jordan Cox had to wait a long time for his Test debut. In 2024, he was set to make his debut as wicketkeeper during England’s tour of New Zealand after Jamie Smith took paternity leave. However, Cox suffered a finger injury during a net session on the eve of the first Test, ruling him out of the match. That gave Jacob Bethell the opportunity to make his Test debut at No. 3, and he went on to cement his place in the side over the winter. Cox has batted at No. 3 only once in first-class cricket, although he has opened the innings in 30 first-class matches.
Cox eventually made his Test debut during the New Zealand series, batting at No. 7. This time, however, he will get the chance to play in his preferred top-order role.
Lawrence’s return has been rewarded on the back of an excellent domestic season.
He finished as the second-highest run-scorer in Division One of the County Championship, scoring 788 runs at an average of 65.66 with a strike rate of 80.4.
He also scored five first-class centuries, the most by any batter in the competition this season.
Those performances convinced England’s selectors that he deserved another opportunity at the international level.
Fast bowler Sam Cook has also returned after making a single Test appearance against Zimbabwe.
Meanwhile, Ollie Robinson is back in the squad after missing the New Zealand series through injury.
England also discussed Sam Curran as a possible replacement for Ben Stokes because of his all-round abilities.
However, the selectors felt he is not yet physically ready for the demands of Test cricket, and he has therefore not been included.
James Rew and Sonny Baker, who were part of the squad during the New Zealand series, have also been left out.
Ollie Pope is back in the squad as the reserve wicketkeeper-batter after being dropped midway through last winter’s Ashes. Brydon Carse also returns after wrist and elbow injuries ruled him out at the start of the domestic summer.
National selector Marcus North said the squad strikes the right balance between youth and experience.
Speaking about Dan Lawrence, North praised his exceptional County Championship season and said his performances deserved recognition. He also believes Lawrence’s maturity and skill set will strengthen England’s middle order.
On Jordan Cox, North described him as an exciting talent and confirmed that the selectors want to give him a proper opportunity at No. 3 while Jacob Bethell remains unavailable.
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
Babar Azam (Captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Awais Zafar, Mohammad Ghazi Ghori, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shan Masood, Ubaid Shah
1st Test: August 19-23 – Headingley
2nd Test: August 27-31 – Lord’s
3rd Test: September 9-13 – Edgbaston
The England Test Squad vs Pakistan reflects the team’s attempt to adapt to life after Ben Stokes. While Dan Lawrence has earned his recall through outstanding domestic performances, England are still without a genuine pace-bowling all-rounder to replace their former captain. Jordan Cox’s promotion to No. 3 is another major storyline, and the upcoming series will provide him with an excellent opportunity to establish himself in England’s Test middle order.
