Potts, whose last appearance in the longer format came in the one-off Test against Ireland in June 2023, gets into the eleven ahead of fellow pacer Olly Stone and uncapped batter Jordan Cox. His inclusion comes at the expense of Stokes, who was ruled out of the rest of the summer due to a hamstring injury sustained during the recent Men's Hundred competition.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
With Potts slotted at number nine, Jamie Smith, Chris Woakes and Gus Atkinson will now play at six, seven and eight respectively, as England now have four fast-bowling options to cover up for Stokes\u2019 absence.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Middle-order batter Dan Lawrence, who last played a Test on the tour of West Indies in 2022, will open the batting alongside Ben Duckett following Zak Crawley being ruled out due to a broken finger sustained in England\u2019s 3-0 series triumph over the West Indies. Interestingly, Lawrence has not batted as a specialist opener in his 11-match Test career.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Through the first Test at Manchester, Pope will become the 82nd men's Test captain for England. With him and Brook in leadership roles, it's evident that England are looking to groom leaders for the future.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
After the first Test at Manchester, England and Sri Lanka will play the second game of the three-match series at Lord\u2019s on August 29, followed by the last game at The Oval commencing on September 6.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Through the first Test at Manchester, Pope will become the 82nd men's Test captain for England. With him and Brook in leadership roles, it's evident that England are looking to groom leaders for the future.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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