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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Ali Martin

England begin post-Stokes era with call-ups for Lawrence, Cox and Pope against Pakistan

Dan Lawrence bats during a Test match at The Oval, ball near his bat.
Dan Lawrence has returned to the England Test squad two years on from his last appearance. Photograph: John Walton/PA

On paper, the answer to how England will replace Ben Stokes for the Test series against Pakistan appears to be to throw bodies at the problem and have options. A 16-strong squad has been selected for the first two Tests starting on 19 August, akin to a ­touring party and at risk of being bloated.

Although on announcing the squad on Thursday – a group that has Jordan Cox slated to bat at No 3, with Jacob Bethell missing the series with a knee injury – the national selector, Marcus North, laid out the intended structure of the XI that will play under Joe Root when he dutifully returns to the captaincy.

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