In a blow to England’s batting lineup, regular opener Zak Crawley has been ruled out of the upcoming three-match Test series against Sri Lanka due to a fractured right little finger. Crawley sustained the injury while attempting a catch in the recently concluded series against the West Indies, which England won 3-0.
With Crawley sidelined, Dan Lawrence is expected to step up and open the innings alongside Ben Duckett. Lawrence, who has been in impressive form for Essex in the County Championship, will face the challenge of establishing himself as a reliable opener at the international level.
The 14-player squad, announced by captain Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum, also excludes seamer Dillon Pennington, who picked up a hamstring injury while playing in The Hundred competition.
However, there are some exciting inclusions in the squad. Essex middle-order batter Jordan Cox receives his first call-up to the national team, having previously toured Pakistan with the England white-ball squad last year. Cox has been in excellent form for Essex, scoring 763 runs at an average of 69.36 in the County Championship, with three centuries to his name.
Nottinghamshire speedster Olly Stone also returns to the England lineup for the first time since 2021. Stone, who has played three Tests and taken 10 wickets at an average of 19.4, will bolster the bowling attack as England look to counter Sri Lanka’s batting prowess.
The series, part of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25, will commence on August 21 at Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester. Sri Lanka, currently placed fourth in the standings with a point percentage of 50, will face an England side buoyed by their recent series whitewash against the West Indies.
As the squad gathers for the Sri Lanka Tests, the absence of Crawley and Pennington presents an opportunity for other players to step up and cement their place in the team. The inclusion of Cox and Stone adds depth and versatility to the squad, reflecting England’s strategy to blend experience with emerging talent.
With the series set to be a thrilling encounter, England will be looking to maintain their momentum and continue their climb up the World Test Championship standings. The team’s adaptability in the face of injuries and their commitment to nurturing young talent will be key factors in their quest for success against Sri Lanka.
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