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Stokes Ruled Out, Pope To Lead As ENG Announces Playing XI For 1st Test Vs SL

Stokes was ruled out due to injury [X] Stokes was ruled out due to injury [X]

England have announced their playing XI for the first Test match against Sri Lanka, starting on August 21, Wednesday.

Changes ENG have made from WI Tests

Ben Stokes, the regular skipper has been ruled out due to a hamstring injury, and Ollie Pope has been given the captain's armband for the upcoming series. Also, England have made one more change from the Test series win against West Indies.

Opener, Zak Crawley, who has been nursing a finger injury, has also been excluded from the first Test, and Dan Lawrence comes in for his place. The ECB have also made an interesting decision to name Harry Brook as the deputy of Pope.


Matthew Potts makes his return, and so does Mark Wood as the hosts have gone in with a fired up pace attack against the visiting Lankan Lions.

Shoaib Bashir is the sole spinner as England keep their hopes alive for a place in the WTC finals. The England side, in their last Test series clean swept the West Indian side 3-0, and will be looking to do the same Vs Sri Lanka, who are coming off a solid series win against India.

The Island Nation stunned India to win the recently concluded ODI series 2-1, and will be riding high on confidence after that.

ENG playing XI for first Test Vs SL

Dan Lawrence, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope (c), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Matt Potts, Mark Wood, Shoaib Bashir.