England have reshuffled their Test squad for the start of the three-match series against Pakistan, with Ollie Pope, Dan Lawrence, Sam Cook and Jordan Cox all recalled. Cox will bat at No 3 after Jacob Bethell was ruled out of the series through injury, while England’s first match begins at Headingley on 19 August.
Joe Root’s first assignment back as permanent Test captain comes after Ben Stokes’ retirement and England’s coaching shake-up, with Marcus Trescothick acting as interim head coach. England have named a 16-strong squad that gives Root several options, although the absence of a genuine all-rounder after Stokes means the final XI still needs balancing.
Why is Dan Lawrence back in the squad?
Dan Lawrence’s return reflects more than his position near the top of the Division One County Championship run-scoring charts. England may also select him for his off-breaks, which would allow Root to use four frontline quicks at Headingley.
The Surrey batter has earned the recall through strong domestic form. The second source said he is the second-highest run-scorer in Division One with 788 runs at 65.66, including five centuries, in 13 innings, and that he has taken nine wickets from 178.2 overs this season.
England may see him as a middle-order option, with one report saying he is slated to bat at six and fill a vacancy created by Stokes’ retirement. Lawrence’s return is also a notable comeback after his most recent Test appearance in September 2024.
What does Jordan Cox’s promotion mean?
The most notable change is Cox’s confirmed move to No 3. He batted at No 7 on debut at the Oval in June, but will now be given the opportunity to fill Bethell’s place in the order.
Pope’s return after being dropped for Bethell during the winter’s Ashes series may initially leave him on the sidelines, although he adds experience to a squad that otherwise has little beyond Root. Pope was also left out of the squad against New Zealand after a difficult run of form, but has responded with 510 runs at 56.66 for Surrey in the County Championship, including five scores of 50 or more.
The second source noted that Pope, who averages 34.55 in 64 Tests, was replaced by Bethell at number three for the final two Ashes Tests in Australia. His recall gives England another top-order option, but he is not guaranteed to return straight into the XI in Bethell’s absence.
Marcus North, England selector, said:
“We have selected a squad for the first two Tests that balances rising talent with the experience needed against a quality Pakistan team.
He added:
“Dan Lawrence returns following an exceptional season so far with Surrey and we believe he has the right level of experience, maturity and skill to complement our middle order.
North also said:
“Jordan Cox is well regarded as one of the most exciting talents in English cricket and will have the opportunity to bat at 3 in place of Jacob Bethell, who sadly misses this series through injury.”
Bethell’s absence appears to be a significant one. The 22-year-old picked up an issue with his right knee during the final one-day international against India last month and, after scans, is already set to miss the whole of The Hundred.
Who are England’s pace options?
Brydon Carse is included in his first Test squad since the winter. He was England’s leading wicket-taker in the 4-1 Ashes defeat before missing the first half of the summer with wrist and finger injuries, and the second source said a broken wrist ruled him out of the Indian Premier League and the start of the Test summer.
Carse and Cook, who has one cap from last summer’s Test against Zimbabwe, are part of a six-man pace group for the first two Tests. The other fast bowlers are Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Matthew Fisher and Ollie Robinson.
The second source added that Cook returned to the squad for the first time since last summer, having made his international debut against Zimbabwe in May 2025 and been included for the five-match series against India without playing.
Shoaib Bashir remains England’s first-choice spinner in the 16-player squad. England are sticking with Bashir after he featured in the first and third Tests against New Zealand, having been overlooked during the Ashes.
What does this mean for England’s coaching set-up?
The Pakistan series is the first since Brendon McCullum was moved aside as Test head coach and asked to concentrate on the white-ball teams. His replacement, Stephen Fleming, is not due to arrive until September, so Marcus Trescothick will act as interim head coach for now.
The second source said Fleming will begin his tenure against South Africa in December, and that England’s first Test outing since the retirements and coaching changes will be a useful early test of the new structure. How Fleming will build his backroom staff has yet to be confirmed, with existing coaches still waiting to learn whether they will continue across formats or follow McCullum in specialising in limited-overs cricket.
A report by 7News in Australia on Wednesday claimed Fleming has already made an informal approach to Mike Hussey about becoming England’s new Test batting coach. Hussey, the former Australia middle-order batter, is currently working at Welsh Fire in The Hundred and had a short spell as a consultant coach with England’s men when they won the T20 World Cup in late 2022.
The full squad is Joe Root (Yorkshire – captain); Jofra Archer (Sussex); Gus Atkinson (Surrey); Shoaib Bashir (Derbyshire); Harry Brook (Yorkshire); Brydon Carse (Durham); Sam Cook (Essex); Jordan Cox (Essex); Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire); Matthew Fisher (Surrey); Emilio Gay (Durham); Dan Lawrence (Surrey); Ollie Pope (Surrey); Ollie Robinson (Sussex); Jamie Smith (Surrey); Josh Tongue (Nottinghamshire).
What is the full England squad?
England’s 16-man squad for the first two Tests against Pakistan is: Joe Root (c), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Jordan Cox, Ben Duckett, Matthew Fisher, Emilio Gay, Dan Lawrence, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Jamie Smith and Josh Tongue.
Changes are still expected, however, as England decide how to shape the side for Headingley and the rest of the series.
Key Facts
- England host Pakistan in a three-match Test series, starting at Headingley on 19 August.
- Ollie Pope, Dan Lawrence, Sam Cook and Jordan Cox have been recalled to the 16-man squad.
- Jacob Bethell is out of the entire series with a right knee injury.
- Jordan Cox is set to bat at No 3, while Joe Root begins his first series back as permanent Test captain.
- Marcus Trescothick is interim head coach before Stephen Fleming arrives in September.
