Jordan Cox and Dan Lawrence (Source: Getty)
Jordan Cox is set to bat at number three in place of the injured Jacob Bethell as England have named a 16-member squad for the first two Tests of the upcoming three-match series against Pakistan, set to commence on August 19.
Wicketkeeper-batter Cox made his Test debut against the Black Caps at the Oval this summer and is expected to fill in at number 3 for Jacob Bethell, who has been ruled out of the series with a right-knee injury. It comes as a full-circle moment for Cox, as his injury in 2024 against New Zealand opened the door for Bethell to come into the side at one drop.
Dan Lawrence also makes his return to the squad and is set to bat at number 6, covering the all-rounder spot left vacant following Ben Stokes’ shock retirement announced during the Test series against New Zealand in June. The Surrey man has been rewarded for a strong start in the 2026 County Championship season, with his off-spin offering a reliable option for the English side.
Former captain Ollie Pope returns as the spare wicketkeeper-batter in the squad, after having been dropped for the New Zealand series. In the bowling department, recalls include Essex seamer Sam Cook, who played one Test against Zimbabwe in 2025 and Brydon Carse, who missed the start of the summer due to separate hand and elbow injuries. Ollie Robinson, who played the first Test of the summer but missed the next two with a knee issue, has also made a comeback.
“We have selected a squad for the first two Tests that balances rising talent with the experience needed against a quality Pakistan team. 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.
“Jordan Cox is well regarded as one of the most exciting talents in English cricket and will have the opportunity to bat at three in place of Jacob Bethell, who sadly misses this series through injury,”England Men National Selector, Marcus North, said in an official statement.
The newly appointed Test coach Stephen Fleming has been part of the selection process despite not taking charge for the series. Marcus Trescothick takes over on an interim basis for the series. Shoaib Bashir remains the only frontline spin option in the squad, with options like Rehan Ahmed and Sam Curran overlooked, with the latter having suffered multiple injuries across the summer.
England squad for the first two Tests vs Pakistan:
Joe Root (captain), 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, Josh Tongue
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