England recall Pope, Lawrence, Cook for Pakistan Tests with Root leading
Pope, Lawrence and Cook return as England name a 16-man squad for the opening two Tests against Pakistan under Joe Root's captaincy.
England have named a 16-man squad for the first two Tests against Pakistan that begin August 19 at Headingley. Ollie Pope, Dan Lawrence and Sam Cook are back, while Jordan Cox steps in for the injured Jacob Bethell.
Joe Root leads England for the first time since his reappointment as permanent Test captain. Marcus Trescothick is interim coach until Stephen Fleming takes over for the South Africa series in December.
Six quicks are in the squad — Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Matthew Fisher and Ollie Robinson. Lawrence should bat at number six; his off-spin lets Root keep four frontline seamers at Headingley.
CricHubb Take
Root's decision to carry six fast bowlers and still pick Lawrence's off-breaks says England expect Headingley to stay dry and true. If the surface flattens, the extra batter becomes the fifth bowler anyway, and the balance works. If it moves, the four quicks will look thin without a genuine all-rounder to share the load.