England announce 16-member squad for Pakistan Tests; Dan Lawrence returns
What's the story
England have announced a 16-member squad for the first two Tests against Pakistan, starting August 19 at Headingley. The series will be Joe Root's first as full-time captain since stepping down in 2022. Jacob Bethell has been ruled out of the three-match series due to a knee injury. Meanwhile, Ollie Pope, Brydon Carse, and Dan Lawrence have returned to the squad for the opening two Tests.
Squad changes
Lawrence returns after two years
Lawrence made his Test comeback after two years, following a stellar County Championship season with Surrey. He is the second-highest run-scorer in Division One this season.
Lawrence has already played 14 Tests for England, scoring 671 runs at an average of 26.84. His tally includes 4 half-centuries.
The 29-year-old will bat at No. 6, with Jamie Smith moving down to No. 7.
Replacement
Cook and Cox included
Jordan Cox, who made his Test debut against New Zealand earlier this summer, will bat at No. 3 in place of Bethell.
The latter had suffered a right knee injury during England's ODI series against India last month and will miss the entire Pakistan series.
Pacer Sam Cook has been recalled after making his Test debut against Zimbabwe last year.
Comeback
Pope, Carse return; Stokes missing
Pope and Carse are back in the Test fold for the first time since England's Ashes defeat in Australia last winter.
They will be part of the series opener at Headingley.
Notably, former captain Ben Stokes, who has retired from international cricket, is missing from this squad along with injured Bethell and legspinner Rehan Ahmed.
Final lineup
England's squad for first two Tests
England squad for first two Tests against 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, and Josh Tongue.
The first Test will be played at Headingley from August 19, followed by the second game at Lord's from August 27.
Edgbaston will host the final Test from September 9.