Jacob Bethell has been deemed unfit for the three-Test series against Pakistan owing to a knee injury, while Ollie Pope, Brydon Carse and Dan Lawrence have returned to the 16-strong squad for the opening two Tests.
Lawrence returns to the Test side for the first time in two years after an impressive County Championship campaign with Surrey, where he is the second-highest run-scorer in Division One this season.
Pacer Sam Cook has also earned a recall, having made his Test debut against Zimbabwe last year, while Pope and Carse join the Test fold for the first time since England’s Ashes defeat in Australia last winter.
Missing from the squad that featured in the third Test against New Zealand are former captain Ben Stokes, who has bid adieu to international cricket, the injured Bethell and all-rounder Rehan Ahmed, who has been left out.
The Test rubber against Pakistan, which commences on August 19 in Headingley, will also mark the first assignment for England in the post-BazBall era, with Joe Root returning as full-time captain of the Test side having stepped down from the role in 2022. Stephen Fleming was recently appointed McCullum’s successor as the coach of the Test side, but will only assume the role later in the year when England tour South Africa. Marcus Trescothick will step in as interim head coach for the Pakistan series.
Speaking about the squad, England men’s national selector Marcus North said: “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,” North added. “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.”
Joe Root is back as captain and some familiar faces also are making their return 😍 pic.twitter.com/imQamKKjjr
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 6, 2026