England Announce 17-Member Test Squad for Pakistan Tour in October
|
|
England Men's selection panel has named a 17-strong squad for the upcoming three-match Test series against Pakistan in October. The squad features two uncapped players, Durham's seamer Brydon Carse and Essex's batter Jordan Cox, while experienced spinners Rehan Ahmed and Jack Leach make their return to the Test set-up.
England Men's Test Squad:
- Ben Stokes (C)
- Rehan Ahmed
- Gus Atkinson
- Shoaib Bashir
- Harry Brook
- Brydon Carse
- Jordan Cox
- Zak Crawley
- Ben Duckett
- Josh Hull
- Jack Leach
- Ollie Pope
- Matthew Potts
- Joe Root
- Jamie Smith
- Olly Stone
- Chris Woakes
Eight players from England's victorious 2022 Test tour of Pakistan, including captain Ben Stokes, star batter Joe Root, and rising talents Harry Brook and Rehan Ahmed, will return. Ahmed, who made his Test debut on that tour in Karachi, is eager to build on his four Test caps.
Somerset's Jack Leach, who last played in the first Test against India in January 2024, rejoins the squad after recovering from injury. England also welcomes back Zak Crawley, who missed the recent Test series against Sri Lanka due to a fractured finger sustained in July.
England's fast-bowling contingent sees Durham's Matthew Potts and Leicestershire's 22-year-old Josh Hull, who recently made his Test debut, included for their first major overseas tour. Captain Ben Stokes continues his recovery from a hamstring injury and is set to lead the team once again.
The Pakistan Cricket Board is expected to announce the venues for the Test series later this week.
This series marks another chapter in the growing cricketing rivalry between England and Pakistan, as both teams aim to assert their dominance in the Test arena.