England recall Pope & Lawrence for Pakistan Tests but Bethell out
Surrey duo Ollie Pope and Dan Lawrence are recalled to the England squad for the first two Tests against Pakistan.
England has called back Ollie Pope and Dan Lawrence for the first two Tests against Pakistan, with Jacob Bethell sidelined due to injury. The 16-man squad, led by Joe Root, will play at Headingley starting Wednesday, 19 August. The series marks England's first Test match since Ben Stokes retired as captain and Brendon McCullum was sacked as head coach.
Stephen Fleming takes over as interim head coach, having previously succeeded McCullum as head coach. Former vice-captain Pope was replaced by Bethell at number three in the Ashes, but will not return to the side following Bethell's injury. Essex's Sam Cook, who made his Test debut against Zimbabwe in May 2025, returns to the squad after a break.
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