Last Updated on 4 months by Charbel Coorey
The England squad for the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka has been confirmed. Zak Crawley is a notable absentee, as he has been ruled out due to a fractured finger. Dan Lawrence will open in his place.
Crawley picked up the injury during England’s ten-wicket win against West Indies in the third Test at Edgbaston. He will miss the rest of the Hundred and is aiming to be ready for England’s tour of Pakistan in October.
The call to play Lawrence as opener is an interesting one. He has had a strong season for Surrey, but he’s played in the middle order. He has struck 584 runs in nine matches at an average of 53.09 and strike rate of 74.68.
Also, pace bowler Dillon Pennington is not in the squad due to a hamstring injury sustained during the Hundred. According to ESPNcricinfo, Pennington is expected to miss the rest of the English season. Olly Stone has been selected in his place.
England Test squad vs Sri Lanka
Uncapped batsman Jordan Cox has been included. Cox has been outstanding for Essex this season, striking 763 runs at an average of 69.36 and strike rate of 66.98.
Ben Stokes (c), Ben Duckett, Dan Lawrence, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jordan Cox, Jamie Smith, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Matthew Potts, Olly Stone
ENG vs SL Test series schedule:
- August 21-25 – 1st Test, Manchester
- August 29-September 2 – 2nd Test, Lord’s
- September 6-10 – 3rd Test, The Oval
England have won eight of their past nine Tests against Sri Lanka, home and away. Sri Lanka’s last win over England was in 2014 where they won by 100 runs. But, the match is remembered for their remarkable victory with just one ball to spare.
