There is no place for Jacob Bethell in the playing XI as England announced their lineup for the first Test against India at Headingley on Wednesday, June 18. Ollie Pope has fended off competition from Bethell to claim the No.3 spot for the match which will start from Friday, June 20.
Bethell made a strong case to seal the spot during England’s tour of New Zealand last year with three fifties, but Pope’s recent 171 against Zimbabwe in the one-off Test seems to have swayed things in his favour. England’s managing director of cricket, Rob Key had hinted that it will be a call that won’t affect the futures of both players.
Apart from this, Chris Woakes will also make his return to the Test team for the first time since December. Brydon Carse, who impressed during the tour of New Zealand, will be playing his first Test on English soil. Josh Tongue and Shoaib Bashir rounds off the bowling attack for England as captain Ben Stokes will be expected to pitch in with a few overs.
“England Men have confirmed their XI for the Rothesay first Test against India at Headingley starting on Friday.”
“Warwickshire all-rounder Chris Woakes returns to the side for the first time since December. Durham seamer Brydon Carse will play his first Test on home soil, having featured in his previous five Tests in Pakistan and New Zealand,” read the statement from ECB.
England Playing XI for first Test against India
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (C), Jamie Smith (WK), Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir.
