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Preview: Test Series: Pakistan vs. England – prediction, team news, series so far

Sports Mole previews the third and final Test between Pakistan and England, scheduled to get underway on Thursday at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

It is still all to play for as we head into the third and final test between Pakistan and England which is set to get underway on Thursday morning at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

The series hangs in the balance after the first two matches in Multan were split, with England winning the first and Pakistan levelling proceedings with a victory last week.

Match preview

Pakistan celebrate taking an England wicket in second Test in October 2024.© Imago

This series as been a bit of a rollercoaster for Pakistan, which began with them making an unwanted piece of history, becoming the first team ever to lose a Test by an innings after scoring over 500 runs in their first knock.

That result extended the Shaheen’s losing streak in Test matches to six in a row and was also their seventh loss on home soil in their last nine, highlighting the difficulties the team have faced in recent times.

In an effort to end their dismal record, the Men in Green took a major gamble in match two, opting to use to same pitch as they did in the first game, and it paid off handsomely, as they pulled off a 152-run series-levelling victory.

The idea behind using the same strip a second time was to bring their spinners more into the match, and it worked a treat. With the help of sharp turn and unpredictable bounce, left-arm spinner Noman Ali took seven of the eight wickets that fell on Friday, finishing with an impressive 8/46 in the innings and match figures of 11/147.

Heading into the series decider, it seems that the hosts are employing similar tactics, with images circulating on social media revealing the use of six patio heaters, two industrial fans and two large windbreaks to dry the pitch and create conditions favorable for spin bowling.

England batsman Joe Root in October 2024.© Imago

Meanwhile, England arrive in Rawalpindi looking to deny Pakistan their first series win since they beat South Africa in 2021, and head coach Brendon McCullum along with captain Ben Stokes conducted a thorough inspection of the pitch ahead of the team’s practice session on Tuesday.

In anticipation for a spin battle, the visitors have made a tactical change to their squad, bringing in leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed as a third spinning option, alongside Jack Leach and Shoaib Bashir.

Leach, England’s leading wicket-taker in the series, took seven wickets in the first Test before adding another seven in the second match, and he will undoubtedly be Stokes’ key bowler in their effort to clinch the final game.

Fellow spinner Bashir has also shown promise in the series, with five of his six wickets coming in the second Test defeat, suggesting that the 21-year-old is rising to the challenge in the red-ball format and gaining confidence in favourable conditions.

With the bat, Joe Root, regarded as one of the world’s best players of spin, became the Three Lions’ all-time leading Test run-scorer in the opening Test and will likely be tasked with anchoring the innings against what should be a spin-barrage from their opponents.

Team News

Pakistan duo Salman Agha and Sajid Khan during second Test against England on October 17, 2024.© Imago

While Sajid Khan and Noman Ali claimed the headlines in the last match for taking all 20 wickets, debutant Kamran Ghulam‘s 118 off 224 balls in the first innings was equally crucial to the victory, and he will be looking to follow up in this match.

Shan Masood is expected to maintain a similar lineup in this one, though Zahid Mahmood failed to pick up a wicket in the last match and could be forced to make way here, potentially for Mohammad Ali.

As mentioned, England have opted to go with a spin-heavy lineup for this match drafting Rehan Ahmed, who last played against India in Rajkot earlier this year, as a third spin choice to support Leach and Bashir.

The only other confirmed change for the visitors in this match sees Matthew Potts making way for seamer Gus Atkinson, meaning that Stokes remains the only specialist all-rounder in the squad.

Pakistan squad: Shan Masood (c), Saud Shakeel, Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Haseebullah, Kamran Ghulam, Mehran Mumtaz, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha and Zahid Mehmood

England 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.

Series so far

Test 1 of 3: England won by an innings and 47 runs
Pakistan – 556 & 220
England – 823/7d

Test 2 of 3: Pakistan won by 152 runs
Pakistan – 366 & 221
England – 291 & 144

SM words green background© PA Photos

We say: England to win

While Pakistan pulled off a sensational comeback win last time out, England are now wise to the challenge and have responded by opting to bring in a third specialist spinner, which could be a crucial factor in this match.

The hosts would have received a huge morale boost from the result in the second match in Multan, but the visitors’ experienced core could be telling in this clutch fixture, and we fancy them to secure this match and the series.

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Noman Ali takes eight wickets as Pakistan defeat England in second Test

Noman Ali sensationally takes eight wickets as Pakistan win the second Test against England in Multan by 152 runs.

Noman Ali decimated the England batting lineup on the fourth day of the second Test to earn Pakistan a 152-run victory in Multan.

Chasing a target of 297, the tourists were already underdogs before Ben Duckett (0) and Zak Crawley (3) were dismissed during the closing 45 minutes of Thursday’s play.

While England resumed on 36-2, that soon became 37-3 as Ollie Pope (22) gave Sajid Khan his second wicket, which subsequently led to his fellow spinner Noman taking over.

Wickets were falling at regular intervals on a rapidly deteriorating pitch, Joe Root (18) and Harry Brook (16) unable to replicate their efforts of the first Test.

Ben Stokes and Brydon Carse each come out with credit, the skipper making a lively 37 while Carse hit three sixes on his way to a knock of 27.

However, England were unable to stifle the wizardry of Noman, who ended with figures of 8-46 as he and Khan shared the 33.3 overs in their entirely to bowl their opponents out for 144.

Some context required

Although the defeat brings the series level at one apiece with one match remaining, it should come with perspective with England having been required to successfully chase down their highest-ever target in Asia.

Only three other teams in history have chased down such a target on away territory in the history of Test cricket, while it would have been the highest successful chase in Pakistan had it been achieved.

Pakistan’s bowlers set their own feat, however. Sajid and Noman’s 33.3-over stint was the longest unchanged bowling attack in Test cricket since 1956.

There is now a break before the third Test in Rawalpindi begins on October 24.

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England left scrambling as Pakistan move into strong position to win second Test

England are left with an uphill task to win the second Test against Pakistan after losing two wickets during the early stages of their run chase in Multan.

Pakistan have laid the foundations to defeat England in the second Test, leaving the tourists on 36-2 at stumps on day three in Multan.

When England were 211-2 in reply to Pakistan’s first innings total of 366 on Wednesday, Ben Stokes‘ side appeared to be in control.

However, fast-track to just over 24 hours later and England are scrambling to stop Pakistan from levelling the series at one victory apiece, still requiring 261 runs with eight wickets left.

With no sign of bad weather, the game will reach a conclusion on Friday with England needing to reassess how they go about their run chase on a heavily-turning pitch.

Leach impresses with bat and ball

Of England’s final seven batsman, it was Jack Leach who would top-score with 25, adding potentially-vital runs in a 29-run last-wicket partnership with Shoaib Bashir to take the visitors to 291.

The pair were equally impressive with the ball, albeit assisted by the pitch, as wickets fell at regular intervals with Pakistan being reduced to 77-4.

When that became 114-5, England were in the ascendancy, but a magnificent 63 from 89 deliveries from Salman Agha turned the tide in Pakistan’s favour.

With Sajid Khan also adding 22 at the bottom of the order, Pakistan would make a credible 221, setting England a target of 297 at a time when they would have been encouraged by Leach and Bashir’s combined figures being 7-133.

Pakistan seize advantage

Although the game was finely in the balance, spin bowler Sajid put Pakistan firmly in control by taking the wicket of Ben Duckett (0) with the third ball of their chase.

Zak Crawley followed shortly for three, being stumped off the bowling of Noman Ali, and it left Ollie Pope and Joe Root needing to survive the final 30 minutes to give England a realistic chance of victory.

The experienced pair did just that, adding 25 runs from the remaining 7.4 overs to take England to 36-2, with Pope unbeaten on 21 and Root having made 12.

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Pakistan vs. England: Jack Leach spins tourists to historic win in first Test on day five

England complete one of the more logic-defying victories in the history of Test cricket as Jack Leach seals a win in the first Test by an innings and 47 runs.

England have sealed an historic first-Test win over Pakistan, prevailing by an innings and 47 runs in Multan on Friday.

The hard work in a logic-defying contest was done in the previous four days, Ollie Pope‘s side responding to Pakistan’s 556 with a monumental reply of 823-7.

Although England held a 267-run lead, the flat pitch initially left a draw as the most likely outcome until the tourists ripped through the Pakistan top order during the final two-and-a-half hours on Thursday.

Resuming on 152-6, and with Abrar Ahmed absent through illness, Pakistan were left with the steepest of uphill tasks to bat out the day, and they showed resilience through Salman Agha and Aamer Jamal during the first hour of the final day.

However, once Jack Leach had removed Agha for 63, the writing was on the wall, and the veteran spin bowler would soon dismiss Shaheen Shah Afridi (10) and Naseem Shah (6) to seal a famous win for England and finish with figures of 4-30.

Jamal was left high and dry on 55 not out, the effort of himself and Agha to put together a seventh-wicket stand lasting 24.2 overs – the exact amount of time it took for England to take their first six wickets – the only positive that can be taken since they ended their first innings.

What did Pope have to say?

When speaking to BBC Test Match Special after the game, Pope was quick to praise Joe Root and Harry Brook, who scored 262 and 317 respectively as they put together a record-breaking 454-run stand for the fourth wicket.

That effort proved decisive in England becoming the first team to ever concede so many runs and manage to record an innings victory in the history of Test cricket.

Pope said: “Amazing. The way Rooty and Brooky batted was phenomenal. Coming off the field after the first innings we knew 550 was a lot of runs.

“We didn’t know how much [the pitch] was going to break up, but it held together pretty nicely and the boys cashed in. We had to find a way of taking wickets, as captain you have to try to get creative and set different plans.

“That was the main challenge for me trying to find a way of taking 10 wickets and being OK with them getting those runs and keeping your head if someone did get in.”

What next?

The second Test starts on Tuesday at the same ground, England having to make a decision on how to reintegrate captain Ben Stokes should he prove his fitness after a hamstring injury.

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England hit 823 to move to brink of incredible win over Pakistan in Multan first Test

Harry Brook scores 317 and England hit 823 to move to the brink of an incredible victory over Pakistan in the first Test in Multan.

England enjoy one of their most famous days in Test cricket, scoring an incredible 823-7 before moving to the brink of victory against Pakistan in Multan.

Harry Brook and Joe Root combined to record England’s greatest-ever Test partnership, putting on 454 for the fourth wicket to take the game away from their hosts who had scored 556 in their first innings.

The issue for stand-in captain Ollie Pope was deciding when was best to declare, with the flatness of the pitch needing to be taken into consideration.

However, Pope and the rest of the England team need not have worried as their bowling attack tore through the Pakistan top order, taking six wickets in just 24.2 overs.

Pakistan deserve credit for avoiding defeat before the game headed into its fifth day, but surviving from here would represent a more outstanding feat than England have achieved by putting themselves in this position.

What records have been set?

Brook will take the majority of the plaudits from Thursday’s play, his 317 from just 322 balls featuring 29 fours and three maximums.

The Yorkshireman’s knock is the fifth highest by an Englishman in Test cricket, while his 454-run stand with Root was the highest fourth-wicket partnership in the history of Test cricket.

Root had to settle for just the 262, the 33-year-old recording his highest-ever score in Test cricket having spent 10 hours and one minute at the crease.

England’s total of 823 was still just their fourth highest in history, yet the speed of compiling it in only 150 overs may stand the test of time.

Jamie Smith made 31, Chris Woakes 17 and Brydon Carse nine before the declaration, which gave Pakistan 20 minutes or so to bat before tea.

England attack dismantle Pakistan

The momentum was already with England before Woakes sensationally clean-bowled Abdullah Shafique with the first ball of the innings.

Although the ship was steadied, Shan Masood (11), Babar Azam (5) and Saim Ayub (25) were all back in the pavilion by 12.1 overs, Carse and Gus Atkinson doing the damage.

Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel were next to go for 10 and 29 respectively, England having just under 13 overs to force an historic victory with a day to spare.

However, they lived to fight another day through Salman Agha (41) and Aamer Jamal (27) seeing out a nervy final hour, with Pakistan still trailing by 115 runs.

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Joe Root makes Test history as England close in on Pakistan’s 556

Joe Root becomes England’s all-time leading Test run scorer as he and Harry Brook move their side to within 64 runs of Pakistan’s first innings total of 556 in Multan.

Joe Root has become England‘s all-time highest Test run scorer on a day where he helped his side move into a potentially-winning position against Pakistan.

With the hosts scoring 556 runs in their first innings in Multan, it appeared they had put themselves into a position where they could not lose the game.

However, England reaching 492-3 at stumps on day three has set up the possibility of a result, providing the tourists can kick on over the remaining six sessions on what is an extremely flat pitch.

The day belonged to Root, however, who surpassed Sir Alistair Cook as England’s highest-ever run scorer in the long format of the game, as well as moving to fifth in the all-time list as he put together an unbeaten 176.

Cook had accumulated 12,472 runs from 161 matches, but Root ended play on Wednesday with 12,575 runs in what is his 147th Test outing.

Root bats all day

Throughout the second half of the day, the 33-year-old began to heavily cramp, particularly when he was attempting sweep shots in sweltering conditions.

Perhaps most impressively, the temptation was not there to go all-out attack, leaving that to Ben Duckett who made 84 from 75 and Harry Brook who also batted at a pace after his dismissal.

Brook deserves as much credit as Root does for their performances on Wednesday having scored at a strike-rate of 81.5 to compile his unbeaten 141 from 173.

Their fourth-wicket partnership, the biggest ever for England against Pakistan, has now reached 243 runs from 51.2 overs, and they will each have their sights set on a double hundred.

The priority, however, will be to guide England into a sizeable lead to give them a chance to bowl Pakistan out on the final day of a Test match that has only seen 13 wickets in three days.

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Preview: One Day International Series: England vs. Australia – prediction, team news, series so far

Sports Mole previews the 2024 One Day International match between England and Australia, scheduled to be played at Trent Bridge on Thursday.

Australia‘s tour to England heads to the 50-over format this week, with the first of five one-day internationals spread over just 11 days set to get underway at Trent Bridge on Thursday morning.

The weather ultimately forced these rivals to draw the Ashes last year, and it was a similar situation last Sunday when the heavens opened to call an end to the T20I series after a win apiece in Southampton and Cardiff.

Match preview

Liam Livingstone of England on September 7, 2024© Imago

England return to the 50-over format for the first time since December last year – a period during which the side relinquished the T20 world title to India and saw their hopes of a ‘perfect summer’ dashed by West Indies in the final Test of their tour.

The Three Lions will now look to make a positive start to the one-day series, unlike in the shortest format last week, but will have to do so without the services of white-ball skipper Jos Buttler, whose persistent calf injury ruled him out of the Hundred, T20 series, and has now forced him to sit out the ODIs as well.

Buttler has not featured for the hosts since they bowed out of the T20 World Cup in Guyana back in June and it is Harry Brook who has been selected to lead the team in this five-match series, which will also see him become England’s 37th ODI captain.

While Buttler’s absence is far from ideal, it has not affected England as much as some may have feared, as it paved the way for Liam Livingstone to return to the fold, and the Lancashire all-rounder was easily the pick of the Three Lions’ players in the 20-over format, top-scoring for them in both innings, including a Player of the Match performance in Cardiff where he blasted 87(47) and picked up 2/16 with the ball in just three overs.

Livingstone’s performance led England to victory that day and gave them the momentum coming into the first ODI at Trent Bridge, where their recent record has been average at best, with four wins, four losses and two no-results posted in their last 10.

Travis Head of Australia on September 7, 2024© Imago

Meanwhile, Australia will have fond memories of their most recent visits to Nottingham during the 2019 World Cup, when David Warner‘s blistering 166 led them to a 48-run victory over Bangladesh and Nathan Coulter-Nile‘s 92 not-out secured a win against the West Indies a week earlier.

The Aussies also enter this series with the better recent head-to-head record, having won each of the last five ODIs against England, including a 3-0 clean sweep in November 2022 and a 33-run victory at the World Cup in India last year.

While the T20s saw the visitors field a much younger squad, the 50-over series will bring with it the return of stalwarts Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc and Marnus Labuschagne, which will undoubtedly give the reigning world champions a huge lift, though it will be interesting to see how they fare having not played much international cricket recently – certainly not in English conditions.

Starc’s return, in particular, will be vital for the men from Down Under, who have already seen injuries blight their pace attack in the last month, with the likes of Nathan Ellis, Riley Meredith and Xavier Bartlett all affected, while Josh Hazlewood‘s workload still requires fairly close management.

Still, Australia rarely put up poor showings in the ODI format, and with a blend of promising youth and experienced campaigners, it would not come as a massive shock if they put in a big performance in this opening match.

Team News

England v Australia Mitchell Marsh of Australia shakes hands with Saqib Mahmood on September 7, 2024© Imago

Ben Duckett‘s impressive performances in the longest format of the game have earned him a call to the 50-over setup and he is expected to open the innings here on his home ground in Nottinghamshire.

Reports in the week indicate that interim coach Marcus Trescothick is ‘taking a cautious approach’ to manage Jofra Archer‘s workload, but he is likely to share the new ball with Cameron Green in this one after sitting out the second T20.

For the Aussies, all eyes will be on the highly-rated Jake Fraser-McGurk, who tore up the Indian Premier League this year to earn a spot as a T20 World Cup reserve, but then failed to make an impact in Scotland, contributing just 16 runs across three innings, including a pair of ducks in the first and third.

The visitors also received a major injury boost for the ODI series, with Mitchell Marsh cleared to play, and he will captain the side with Pat Cummins left out of the squad due to a planned rest period.

England squad: Harry Brook (c), Jofra Archer, Jacob Bethell, Brydon Carse, Jordan Cox, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Liam Livingstone, Matthew Potts, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Jamie Smith, Olly Stone, Reece Topley, John Turner

Team B squad: Mitch Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa

SM words green background© PA Photos

We say: Australia to win

While England are in a transitionary phase, they are missing a few key players that would have made the squad had it not been for injuries and may just need this first match to find their rhythm after a fairly lengthy absence from the ODI format.

Australia have several big names returning to their setup for this series and the experience the likes of Smith, Starc and Maxwell bring will be invaluable. For that reason, we feel the visitors will take the lead in this five-match battle.

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Preview: T20 Series: England vs. Australia – prediction, team news, series so far

Sports Mole previews the third T20 international match between England and Australia, scheduled to get underway on Sunday at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground.

England and Australia will head to the Old Trafford Cricket Ground in Manchester for the third and final match of their T20 series on Sunday afternoon.

The Three Lions pulled off an excellent run chase at Sophia Gardens on Friday night to leave the series hanging in the balance ahead of the final encounter.

Match preview

Liam Livingstone of England on September 7, 2024© Imago

After a somewhat underwhelming performance at the Rose Bowl in midweek, England sprung back to life in Cardiff to keep the T20 series alive, successfully chasing down a very defendable 193/6 posted by the Aussies.

Liam Livingstone showcased his all-round abilities in Wednesday’s series-opener in Southampton, claiming 3/22 and smashing a brisk 37 off 27 balls, but his efforts were not enough to prevent a 28-run defeat.

On Friday, though, it was a different situation, with the 31-year-old leading his side to a three-wicket victory, scoring 87 runs in just 47 deliveries, which came after a three-over spell of 2/16 with the ball in hand.

England’s stand-in skipper Phil Salt gave the side a solid foundation at the top of the innings with 32 runs off 23 balls, and Livingstone, along with newcomer Jacob Bethell put on an invaluable 90-run partnership before the latter was dismissed for 44(24).

That result has arguably swung the pendulum back in favour of the hosts, who have a fairly good record in Manchester, winning six of their nine T20 matches at the venue over the years (W7 L3 NR3).

Matthew Short of Australia on September 7, 2024© Imago

Meanwhile, with Mitchell Marsh missing due to illness, Jake Fraser-McGurk was brought back into Australia’s lineup for the second T20I, and made the most of his opportunity, top-scoring with 50 runs of 31 balls, including four boundaries and two sixes.

The Aussies got their innings off to an excellent start and seemed to be en route to setting a target of well above 200 after Travis Head and Matt Short scored a combined 52 in the first four overs before the former was dismissed by Brydon Carse.

Following Fraser-McGurk’s departure, the visitors struggled to maintain their impressive run-rate from earlier in the innings but Josh Inglis notched up an important 42(26) to get the side to a total of 193 for six.

Unfortunately for the Aussies, while Short led the way with the ball, picking up a career-best 5/22 in three overs, the rest of the bowling lineup struggled, with only Sean Abbott managing figures of note (2/37).

One of the keys to England’s success was the manner in which they managed to nullify the threat of Adam Zampa, with the spinner ending wicketless, giving up 37 runs in his four-over allotment.

Team News

Adil Rashid pictured for England on September 8, 2020© Reuters

One player that will be very excited to return to Manchester will be Adil Rashid, who currently has the most wickets at this venue in the T20 international format, picking up 11 scalps in eight matches.

The major selection decision for England in this final T20I will be over whether to recall Jofra Archer to the starting 11 after Carse’s economical 2/26. Should both feature, it will likely mean that Reece Topley will miss out after failing to pick up a wicket in the first two games.

Australia’s decision to select Aaron Hardie and Cooper Connolly for the last match was largely fruitless and we are likely to see Xavier Bartlett and Josh Hazlewood brought back into the bowling attack for the final match.

Marsh has not been ruled out of the third T20I as yet, and if he were to return, it would not come as a surprise to see the visitors retain Fraser-McGurk following his impressive innings, which could lead to Tim David being dropped after contributing just one run in two innings in this series.

England squad: Phil Salt (c), Jofra Archer, Jacob Bethell, Brydon Carse, Jordan Cox, Sam Curran, Josh Hull, Will Jacks, Liam Livingstone, Saqib Mahmood, Dan Mousley, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Reece Topley, John Turner

Australia squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marcus Stoinis, Matt Short, Adam Zampa

Series so far

T20 1 of 3: Australia won by 28 runs
Australia – 179 (19.3)
England – 151 (19.2)

T20 2 of 3: England won by 3 wickets
Australia – 193/6 (20)
England – 194/7 (19)

SM words green background© PA Photos

We say: Australia to win

Australia’s batting lineup put on another impressive display in the last match, but their bowlers, particularly with the new ball, were poor against the English top order and failed to make an impact during the middle overs when brought back into the attack.

England enter this match with momentum on their side, but their performance in Cardiff was still questionable at times, as they had to rely on the individual brilliance Liam Livingstone to get them over the line. If the Aussies can find their strike power with ball in hand in Manchester, we feel they will be able to edge the series.

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England drop Dan Lawrence, name two uncapped players for Pakistan Test series

England selectors take the decision to drop Dan Lawrence – who opened during the recent games with Sri Lanka – for the Test series against Pakistan.

England batsman Dan Lawrence has been dropped from the 17-player squad for the upcoming Test series against Pakistan.

Having had to remain patient for another opportunity with his country, Lawrence was thrust into action for the recent triple-header versus Sri Lanka.

Although England posted a 2-1 series victory, losing the final fixture on Monday, not all of the batting contingent shown enough consistency to guarantee their place for the games that start next month.

Lawrence fell into that category, his three scores in the thirties being undermined by the same amount of single-digit contributions.

His 35 in the second innings against Sri Lanka at the Oval on Sunday was his highest score in his last 13 in all formats, stretching back into July.

With Zak Crawley having recovered from a broken finger, the first-choice opener returns to the fold along with captain Ben Stokes, who has also recently missed out with a hamstring injury.

Brydon Carse in action for England in September 2023.© Imago

Who are the two Test rookies?

One of two uncapped players is no stranger to international cricket with Brydon Carse having already played in 14 one-day and three T20 matches.

The pace bowler has 15 wickets in the longer format, his best figures of 5-61 coming against Pakistan in 2021, while the 29-year-old also has best figures of 3-23 in the 20-over arena.

Meanwhile, batsman and wicket-keeper Jordan Cox is currently preparing to make his international bow in the T20 series against Australia which begins this week.

Cox, who is 23 years of age, averages 39.92 from 85 first-class appearances, already posting eight centuries with a best of 238*.

Another notable inclusion is that of spin bowler Jack Leach, the 33-year-old having not featured in an England shirt since the first Test against India in January.

Test squad in full:

Ben Stokes, Rehan Ahmed, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Bryson Carse, Jordan Cox, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Josh Hull, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes

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Pathum Nissanka hits century as Sri Lanka breeze to third Test win over England

England conclude their Test schedule for the summer with a disappointing eight-wicket defeat at the hands of Sri Lanka at the Oval.

Pathum Nissanka‘s majestic century ensured that Sri Lanka were able to coast to an eight-wicket victory over England on the fourth day of the third Test.

Having ended Sunday’s play on 94-1 and within 125 runs of the target of 219, the tourists were in a dominant position as they bid to end a series that they had already lost on a high.

Although Kusal Mendis would fall within 4.3 overs of the restart, England failed to capitalise on that moment as Nissanka produced a sensational innings of 127 at the Oval.

In posting a dominant win in the capital, Sri Lanka record their first Test triumph over England for a decade.

With the ground considerably less than half full, there was a sense that few England fans gave their side much hope of instigating what would have been a stunning turnaround on the back of their abysmal showing on Sunday.

A brilliant catch in the deep from Shoaib Bashir lifted spirits, the spin bowler diving to his left to dismiss Mendis (39) off the bowling of Gus Atkinson.

Nissanka cements top order spot

However, Nissanka and Angelo Mathews soon took the game away from their hosts, particularly Nissanka who was motivated to better his 64 from 51 in the first innings.

The 26-year-old was subsequently record his second century in Test cricket and his best score to date, an unbeaten knock of 127 runs from 124 deliveries.

Mathews batted at a far more pedestrian rate, yet his contribution of 32 from 61 was equally effective in ensuring that Sri Lanka’s win was never in any doubt.

England now switch their attention to the one-day format with three T20 and five one-day internationals against Australia before they resume Test duties versus Pakistan next month.

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