Dan Lawrence was recalled by England after two years on Thursday (August 6, 2026) to play in the first test against Pakistan and Jacob Bethell was ruled out of the three-match series by a right knee injury.
Key Factors
Lawrence has been in the international wilderness since the last of his 14 test appearances in September 2024, having struggled batting out of position as an opener against Sri Lanka. He has, though, been in a rich vein of form in division one of the County Championship, averaging 65.66 with five centuries in eight outings this season. Bowling allrounders Sam Curran and Rehan Ahmed were the other options to try to balance the side in the absence of Stokes, who ended his storied England career following the series defeat by the Kiwis after 7,273 runs and 252 wickets in tests.
Because of an injury to his right hand but he was named in England’s 16-man squad for the first two tests under returning captain Joe Root, with Marcus Trescothick interim coach in the absence of the newly appointed Stephen Fleming, who had a say in selection, fast bowler Brydon Carse missed the 2-1 loss against the Black Caps. Off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was retained although it remained to be seen if he keeps his spot in the XI after confirmation that Lawrence, who bowls off-spin, will definitely be in the team.
