England name playing XI for the Lord's Test

Ben Foakes

The England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Thursday announced the playing XI for the first Test of the three-match series against South Africa, which will get underway at Lord's on Wednesday (August 17).

England Test skipper Ben Stokes confirmed the playing eleven on the eve of the first Test match.

Surrey wicketkeeper batter Ben Foakes comes back in the side as the only change from England's last outing in the red-ball format against India at Edgbaston in July. Foakes was called-up after he recovered from his bout of COVID-19, which led to him being replaced during the Headingley Test against New Zealand.

Robinson, Brook missed out on selection

Sussex seamer Ollie Robinson will sit out after making his much-awaited return to the side following injury concerns.

Incumbent opener Zak Crawley has retained his position at the top alongside Alex Lees. There were questions raised on his position after he failed to score a single fifty-plus score in the Test series against New Zealand and the one-off rescheduled Test against India.

In-form Yorkshire batter Harry Brook will have to wait for his debut as he once again misses out on selection.

Left-arm spinner Jack Leach will be England's frontline spinner for the Lord's Test against the Proteas.

Under Stokes and McCullum, England have started playing an attacking brand of cricket as they first completed a 3-0 series whitewash against New Zealand and then defeated India in the one-off Test. The home side will be hoping to continue the winning momentum as they take on a confident South African team.

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