England have recalled Matthew Potts and Dan Lawrence for the primary Check of their collection towards Sri Lanka.
The hosts had been pressured into the modifications from the aspect that accomplished a 3-0 collection win over West Indies in July following accidents to opening batter Zak Crawley and captain Ben Stokes, whose function as skipper is being stuffed by Ollie Pope.
Surrey’s Lawrence replaces Crawley on the high of the order as had been anticipated, whereas Durham seamer Potts gained the competition to take Stokes’ place, with England opting for an additional bowler – fairly than batter Jordan Cox – to fill in for the all-rounder.
Stokes was dominated out for the rest of the summer time after tearing his left hamstring whereas taking part in for the Northern Superchargers throughout The Hundred earlier in August, whereas Crawley fractured a finger when fielding in the course of the ultimate Check towards West Indies.
Harry Brook has been named vice-captain for the three-match collection, which begins at Emirates Previous Trafford on Wednesday earlier than additional contests at Lord’s and The Oval, with each ball dwell on Sky Sports activities.
In Stokes’ absence, wicketkeeper Jamie Smith and all-rounder Chris Woakes will every transfer up a place in England’s batting order to sixth and seventh, respectively.
Lawrence: I match the mould to open England batting
Lawrence will open the batting in Check cricket for the primary time as he returns to the aspect greater than two years since claiming the newest of his 11 caps.
The 27-year-old says he’s assured he “fits the mould” of an England Check opener up on the management of head coach Brendan McCullum.
“I think that’s the style of cricketer that Baz McCullum and Ben Stokes are generally after and my general way of going about it is to try and be quite aggressive,” Lawrence mentioned.
“I always try and take the game on and score runs. I think I fit the mould more in that aspect. When I heard about Zak the first thing I thought about was, ‘am I going to open?’ and I found out very quickly that I was so I’ve had a couple of weeks to get my head around that and get some practice in.
“All through my complete profession I’ve performed a sure model of cricket and that has served me effectively so I am simply going to do the identical factor. I am simply going to go on the market and attempt to be as free as doable.”
Like Lawrence, Potts is again after a spell out of the aspect. After a breakout summer time in 2022, the Durham seamer performed only one Check final yr, however will get the chance to make his case after being chosen forward of Olly Stone.
Smith and bowler Gus Atkinson stay a part of the aspect after every impressing throughout their debut collection towards West Indies, whereas 20-year-old Shoaib Bashir continues as England’s lead spinner.
England XI to face Sri Lanka
Dan Lawrence, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope (captain), Joe Root, Harry Brook (vice-captain), Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Matthew Potts, Mark Wooden, Shoaib Bashir.
England’s Check collection towards Sri Lanka
- 1st Check, Emirates Previous Trafford – August 21-25
- 2nd Check, Lord’s – August 29-September 2
- third Check, The Oval – September 6-10
England’s three-Check collection towards Sri Lanka will get beneath manner at Emirates Previous Trafford in Manchester on Wednesday. Watch dwell on Sky Sports activities Cricket from 10am (first ball at 11am). You too can stream the Check collection and extra with a NOW Sports activities Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime.