England have included Liam Livingstone, a white-ball specialist, in their 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match Test series against Pakistan. Star opener Alex Lees was left out of the squad that was released on Wednesday, October 12.
Livingstone, who has been a pillar of England’s limited-overs team for years now, has never played in a Test match. The 29-year-old’s selection old’s is a major bet because he only played in eight games in the two seasons before, averaging 11 in 2021 and 18.5 in 2020, and missed the entirety of Lancashire’s title season.
There is also a first Test call-up for Surrey all-rounder Will Jacks after an impressive summer in which he impressed with bat and off-spin, helping Surrey win the County Championship Division One title.
Mark Wood, a Durham player who hasn’t been in the lineup since March due to injury, and Jamie Overton, a Surrey quick who made his Test debut earlier this year against New Zealand at Headingley, will help to mitigate Stuart Broad‘s absence.
Our 15-strong squad for our Test series in Pakistan! pic.twitter.com/8nPUGnmeXl
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) October 12, 2022
England squad: Ben Stokes (capt), James Anderson, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ben Foakes (wk), Will Jacks, Keaton Jennings, Jack Leach, Liam Livingstone, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Mark Wood
“We are looking forward to touring Pakistan as a Test team” – England’s managing director Rob Key
Rob Key is absolutely upbeat about the side that will tour Pakistan for a Test series after a quite long time. He believes the team have a good blend of youth and experience, who can capitalise on the Asian conditions.
“We are looking forward to touring Pakistan as a Test team for the first time since 2005,” said Rob Key, Managing Director for England Men’s Cricket in a statement. “It will be a historic tour and a compelling series against a good side.
“The selectors have picked a squad for the conditions we can expect in Pakistan. There is a strong blend of youth and experience and players who will adapt well to the types of pitches we are likely to get across the three-match series,” he added.
England will then play three Tests against Pakistan at Rawalpindi, Multan and Karachi in December.
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