Jacob Bethell will be unavailable for the entire England Test series against Pakistan, while Ollie Pope and Brydon Carse have secured places in the 16‑man contingent. England are gearing up to resume competitive cricket after a disappointing loss to New Zealand and the recent exits of head coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes.
Following Stokes' retirement from international cricket, former Yorkshire skipper Joe Root has been reinstated as England's captain. He now leads a side eager to turn a new page after a turbulent period both on the field and behind the scenes. The new head coach, Stephen Fleming, will not take charge until after the three‑match series, which kicks off at Headingley on 19 August and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Cricket.
Bethell suffered a knee injury during England's One‑Day International series against India in July, an incident that also forced him out of The Hundred competition. The injury has kept him out of contention for the Pakistan Tests, prompting Essex wicket‑keeper Jordan Cox to be promoted to the No. 3 position. Cox, who made his Test debut earlier this summer, will now have a chance to cement his place in the top order.
Ollie Pope, who previously served as vice‑captain under Stokes, and fast‑bowler Brydon Carse have both been recalled to the Test squad for the first time since England’s disappointing Ashes tour of Australia last winter. Pope, a Surrey wicket‑keeper‑batter, was dropped after the third Ashes Test when his average across the series settled at just 20.83 runs. Carse returns after missing the current IPL season due to a hand injury. England’s national selector Marcus North revealed that Harry Brook was also slated to remain as Root’s deputy, praising his leadership qualities as "incredibly important" for the side.
North added that Sam Curran had been identified as a potential replacement for the all‑rounder role vacated by Stokes; Curran would have been selected if he had been fit. Two years after his last appearance, Dan Lawrence has been recalled to the middle order and is expected to bat at No.
6. North justified the decision, noting Lawrence’s outstanding season with Surrey and his blend of experience, maturity and skill, which should complement England’s batting line‑up.
The selector also highlighted the significance of Jordan Cox’s inclusion, describing it as a "massive opportunity" for the young Essex player. North praised Cox’s consistent domestic performances, his competitive nature and quiet confidence, asserting that the team would not place him at three unless they believed he could handle the responsibility.
The selection process, North explained, remained consistent with the existing system, involving a group of senior staff including Troy Cooley, David Court, Ed Barney, Rob Key, the captain and the coach. Stephen Fleming, although not yet officially in charge, was heavily consulted from the moment of his appointment.
North emphasized the need for alignment between the selectors’ philosophy and Fleming’s vision, stating that it would be counter‑productive to proceed with a series that diverged from the coach’s strategic plan. When asked by Sky Sports’ The Hundred commentary team why he was not involved in the Test squad announcement, former England T20 and ODI coach Brendon McCullum joked that he now had "a bit more time on his hands". He praised Fleming, saying the new coach is "a little bit like me, but better" and will excel in the role. McCullum lauded the England and Wales Cricket Board for securing a coach with global experience and expressed confidence in the partnership he shares with Fleming, noting that they discuss the future of English cricket daily and aim to build a successful structure across all three formats.
The finalized squad includes: - Joe Root (Yorkshire – captain) - Jofra Archer (Sussex) - Gus Atkinson (Surrey) - Shoaib Bashir (Derbyshire) - Harry Brook (Yorkshire) - Brydon Carse (Durham) - Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire) - Matthew Fisher (Surrey) - Dan Lawrence (Surrey) - Ollie Robinson (Sussex) - Josh Tongue (Nottinghamshire) The three‑Test series against Pakistan will be streamed live on Sky Sports Cricket from 19 August, with additional streaming options available through NOW without a contract. This series marks a crucial moment for England as they seek to rebuild confidence, integrate fresh talent and establish a clear direction under the forthcoming guidance of Stephen Fleming.