With only 15 days left before the three-match test series against Sri Lanka at home, the England Cricket Board has announced 14 14-member squad including an uncapped player Jordan Cox.
England squad for Sri Lanka tests
England has made two changes in the squad that played against West Indies in home which are due to injuries. Opener Zak Crawley has fractured his little finger while taking the field in the Third Test against the West Indies and thus will miss out on the Sri Lanka series.
Meanwhile, Dillon Pennington sustained a hamstring injury while featuring in The Hundred, so he also will be missing the test series. Jordan Cox (Essex) has earned a call-up for his impressive form in the County Championship and could get his Test cap at Old Trafford.
ICYMI: Zak Crawley and Dillion Pennington ruled out of Sri Lanka Tests through injury 😔
Jordan Cox and Olly Stone earn a call up for the series! 👏#EnglandCricket pic.twitter.com/CcIpU9Nv9W
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 4, 2024
Despite missing Pennington, the hosts will have the services of Mark Wood, Olly Stone, and Gus Atkinson. Atkinson was named the Player of the Series after picking 22 wickets from six innings including a seven-wicket haul in the first test.
The spin department comes in handy with Jack Leach, Chris Woakes, Matthew Potts, and Shoaib Bashir for Sri Lanka tests. Joe Root who claimed the no.1 position in the Test rankings and Harry Brook will look forward to leading the batting line-up after their brilliant performance against West Indies. Ben Duckett will have a new opening partner for the Sri Lanka tests.
The test series will be played until September 10 and the first test match will start on August 21 at Old Trafford Stadium.
England squad for Sri Lanka Tests: Ben Stokes (c), Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Jordan Cox, Ben Duckett, Dan Lawrence, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood
