England have recalled Matthew Potts and Dan Lawrence for the first Test of their series against Sri Lanka.
The hosts were forced into the changes from the side that completed a 3-0 series win over West Indies in July following injuries to opening batter Zak Crawley and captain Ben Stokes, whose role as skipper is being filled by Ollie Pope.
Surrey’s Lawrence replaces Crawley at the top of the order as had been expected, while Durham seamer Potts won the contest to take Stokes’ place, with England opting for an extra bowler – rather than batter Jordan Cox – to fill in for the all-rounder.
Stokes was ruled out for the remainder of the summer after tearing his left hamstring while playing for the Northern Superchargers during The Hundred earlier in August, while Crawley fractured a finger when fielding during the final Test against the West Indies.
Harry Brook has been named vice-captain for the three-match series, which begins at Emirates Old Trafford on Wednesday before further contests at Lord’s and The Oval, with every ball live on Sky Sports.
More to follow…
England’s XI
1. Dan Lawrence
2. Ben Duckett
3. Ollie Pope (captain)
4. Joe Root
5. Harry Brook (vice-captain)
6. Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper)
7. Chris Woakes
8. Gus Atkinson
9. Matthew Potts
10. Mark Wood
11. Shoaib Bashir
More to follow…
England’s Test series against Sri Lanka
- 1st Test, Emirates Old Trafford – August 21-25
- 2nd Test, Lord’s – August 29-September 2
- 3rd Test, The Oval – September 6-10
England’s three-Test series against Sri Lanka gets under way at Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester on Wednesday. Watch live on Sky Sports Cricket from 10am (first ball at 11am). You can also stream the Test series and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime.