England vs Sri Lanka: Matthew Potts and Dan Lawrence named in England group for first Check | Cricket Information | Sky Sports activities

England have recalled Matthew Potts and Dan Lawrence for the primary Check of their collection in opposition to Sri Lanka.

The hosts have been pressured into the modifications from the aspect that accomplished a 3-0 collection win over West Indies in July following accidents to opening batter Zak Crawley and captain Ben Stokes, whose function as skipper is being stuffed by Ollie Pope.

Surrey’s Lawrence replaces Crawley on the prime of the order as had been anticipated, whereas Durham seamer Potts gained the competition to take Stokes’ place, with England opting for an additional bowler – quite than batter Jordan Cox – to fill in for the all-rounder.

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Stokes was dominated out for the rest of the summer time after tearing his left hamstring whereas enjoying for the Northern Superchargers throughout The Hundred earlier in August, whereas Crawley fractured a finger when fielding throughout the ultimate Check in opposition to West Indies.

Harry Brook has been named vice-captain for the three-match collection, which begins at Emirates Previous Trafford on Wednesday earlier than additional contests at Lord’s and The Oval, with each ball stay on Sky Sports activities.

In Stokes’ absence, wicketkeeper Jamie Smith and all-rounder Chris Woakes will every transfer up a place in England’s batting order to sixth and seventh, respectively.

Lawrence: I match the mould to open England batting

Lawrence will open the batting in Check cricket for the primary time as he returns to the aspect greater than two years since claiming the latest of his 11 caps.

The 27-year-old says he’s assured he “matches the mould” of an England Check opener up on the management of head coach Brendan McCullum.

“I believe that is the model of cricketer that Baz McCullum and Ben Stokes are usually after and my common manner of going about it’s to try to be fairly aggressive,” Lawrence stated.

“I all the time try to take the sport on and rating runs. I believe I match the mould extra in that facet. After I heard about Zak the very first thing I considered was, ‘am I going to open?’ and I came upon in a short time that I used to be so I’ve had a few weeks to get my head round that and get some observe in.

“All through my entire profession I’ve performed a sure model of cricket and that has served me properly so I am simply going to do the identical factor. I am simply going to go on the market and attempt to be as free as doable.”

Like Lawrence, Potts is again after a spell out of the aspect. After a breakout summer time in 2022, the Durham seamer performed only one Check final yr, however will get the chance to make his case after being chosen forward of Olly Stone.

Smith and bowler Gus Atkinson stay a part of the aspect after every impressing throughout their debut collection in opposition to West Indies, whereas 20-year-old Shoaib Bashir continues as England’s lead spinner.

England XI to face Sri Lanka

Dan Lawrence, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope (captain), Joe Root, Harry Brook (vice-captain), Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Matthew Potts, Mark Wooden, Shoaib Bashir.

England’s Check collection in opposition to Sri Lanka

• 1st Check, Emirates Previous Trafford – August 21-25
• 2nd Check, Lord’s – August 29-September 2
• third Check, The Oval – September 6-10

England’s three-Check collection in opposition to Sri Lanka will get underneath manner at Emirates Previous Trafford in Manchester on Wednesday. Watch stay on Sky Sports activities Cricket from 10am (first ball at 11am). You may also stream the Check collection and extra with a NOW Sports activities Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime.