England announce 14-man Test squad for home series against Sri Lanka; Jordan Cox gets maiden call-up
England have announced a 14-man squad for the three-match Test series against Sri Lanka, beginning from August 21 at Old Trafford. The hosts have made two changes from the squad that was selected against the West Indies and both have been due to injuries.
Opener Zak Crawley fractured his right little finger during fielding in the third Test against the West Indies and thus will miss out on the Sri Lanka series. Fast bowler Dillon Pennington has suffered a hamstring injury while featuring in The Hundred, so he also misses out on the squad.
While Crawley will miss out on the series, England have given the uncapped Jordan Cox a maiden Test call-up. The Essex batter has been rewarded for his form in the County Championship and could get his Test cap at Old Trafford in Manchester.
Despite Pennington missing out, the hosts have enough firepower in their pace department with the presence of Mark Wood, Olly Stone, and Gus Atkinson. Atkinson was named the Player of the Series for England against the West Indies, thanks to his 22 wickets from six innings, and will once again be the key against Sri Lanka.
Chris Woakes and Matthew Potts are also present in the bowling department and are more than handy in English conditions. Off-spinner Shoaib Bashir continues to pip Jack Leach as England's first-choice spinner.
New No.1 ranked Test batter Joe Root and young sensation Harry Brook will look to make hay as they looked in great form against the West Indies. Ben Duckett may have a new opening partner but his role of trying to take the game to the opposition will likely remain the same.
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 (wk), Olly Stone, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.
Schedule for England vs Sri Lanka Test series
1st Test: Emirates Old Trafford, August 21-25
2nd Test: Lord's Cricket Ground, August 29-September 2
3rd Test: Kia Oval, September 6-10