Jacob Bethell Ruled Out, Recall for Ollie Pope: England Name 16-Member Test Squad

England have announced a 16-member squad for the opening two matches of their three-Test series against Pakistan, which begins on 19 August 2026 at Headingley.

Following Ben Stokes’ retirement from Test cricket, former captain Joe Root will return for a second stint as the team’s full-time captain. Root previously led the Test side between 2017 and 2022.

With injuries continuing to affect the squad, England will be without Jacob Bethell after the young batter sustained a right knee injury during last month’s ODI series against India. He has been ruled out of the remainder of the ICC World Test Championship. Consequently, Jordan Cox is set to bat at No. 3.

The squad also marks the return of middle-order specialist Dan Lawrence after a two-year absence.

Additionally, Ollie Pope, Brydon Carse and Sam Cook have been included.

The pace attack features Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Carse, Cook, Matthew Fisher, Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue, with Shoaib Bashir serving as the specialist spinner.

Marcus Trescothick will step in as interim head coach for the series before Stephen Fleming officially takes charge later this year.

England squad: Joe Root (capt), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Jordan Cox, Ben Duckett, Matthew Fisher, Emilio Gay, Dan Lawrence, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Jamie Smith (wk), Josh Tongue.

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