England's Bold Squad Choices for Pakistan Tour

Dan Lawrence has been left out of England’s squad for the Pakistan tour, while Jordan Cox and Brydon Carse, both uncapped in Test cricket, have been included in the 17-man squad.

Captain Ben Stokes will make his return for the three-Test series in October, after sitting out England’s 2-1 victory over Sri Lanka due to a hamstring injury. Opener Zak Crawley also comes back into the squad, having been absent from the same series because of a fractured finger.

In Crawley’s absence, Lawrence was given a chance to open the batting instead of his regular middle-order spot. Unfortunately, he couldn’t make much of the opportunity, with a top score of 35 across six innings. His highest knock came in the second innings of the final Test, where his aggressive but unsettled approach wasn’t enough to help England avoid defeat.

Meanwhile, Cox, who plays for Essex and is 23 years old, was part of the squad for the Sri Lanka series but didn’t get a chance to play. Alongside his batting, Cox also offers England a wicketkeeping option. He is set to make his international T20 debut on Tuesday in Southampton, against Australia.

On the bowling side, 29-year-old Brydon Carse, a Durham pacer, has previously represented England in 14 one-day internationals and three T20 matches. Known for his raw pace, Carse missed three months of the season due to a suspension related to past gambling offences but still holds a central contract.

England squad for Pakistan Test series: Ben Stokes (capt), 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.