England has selected Matthew Potts as an additional seamer for the opening Test against Sri Lanka at Emirates Old Trafford, starting on Wednesday. The 25-year-old makes his return to Test cricket after more than a year, stepping in for injured captain Ben Stokes, who is sidelined from the three-match series due to a hamstring injury.
England’s decision to compensate for Stokes' absence by adding a fourth specialist fast bowler, rather than a batter, reflects their strategic approach. This adjustment pushes wicketkeeper Jamie Smith up to the number six spot in the batting order, followed by Chris Woakes at seven, with Gus Atkinson, Potts, Mark Wood, and spinner Shoaib Bashir rounding out the lineup.
With Stokes unavailable, Ollie Pope has been entrusted with the captaincy, making him England's 82nd men's Test captain. Meanwhile, Harry Brook has been elevated to the role of vice-captain. Dan Lawrence also makes his return to the Test arena after more than two years, filling the vacancy left by injured opener Zak Crawley. Crawley, who fractured his finger attempting a slip catch during the final day of the third-Test victory against the West Indies last month, is expected to be out for the series but hopes to be fit for the Pakistan tour in October, along with Stokes.
Although Stokes attended England's training session on Monday and is expected to stay with the team throughout the series, it was Pope and head coach Brendon McCullum who addressed the squad ahead of the match.
With pace bowler Dillon Pennington, who was part of the West Indies series squad, also injured, Potts was chosen over Nottinghamshire's Olly Stone. Potts, who last played for England against Ireland at Lord’s over a year ago, has claimed 23 wickets at an average of 29 in his six Test appearances.
As for Surrey’s Dan Lawrence, he hasn't featured in the England squad since Stokes and McCullum took over. His last Test was during the 2022 tour of the West Indies. Lawrence, who averages 27 with the bat, has not previously opened in Test cricket. However, having developed as an opener at Essex and frequently opening in white-ball cricket, he has taken on the role in five first-class matches.
England XI for the first Test against Sri Lanka:
Ben Duckett, Dan Lawrence, Ollie Pope (captain), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith, Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Matthew Potts, Mark Wood, Shoaib Bashir