England recall Pope and Lawrence for Pakistan Tests, Bethell ruled out

Jacob Bethell has been ruled out of the three-Test series against Pakistan with a knee injury, while Ollie Pope, Brydon Carse and Dan Lawrence have returned to the 16-man squad named for the opening two Tests. Lawrence returns to the Test side for the first time in two years after an outstanding County Championship campaign with Surrey, where he is the second-highest run-scorer in Division One this season. Jamie Smith moves down to No. 7 after batting higher in England's recent Test series against New Zealand. The 29-year-old is expected to play at No. 6. Jordan Cox, who made his Test debut against New Zealand at The Oval earlier this summer, is set to bat at No. 3 in place of Bethell, who sustained a right knee injury during England's ODI series against India last month and will miss the entirety of the Pakistan series. Pacer Sam Cook has earned a recall, having made his Test debut against Zimbabwe last year, while Pope and Carse return to the Test fold for the first time since England's Ashes defeat in Australia last winter. Carse had been sidelined for a few months with injury, while Pope was dropped altogether after middling returns with the bat. Missing from the squad that featured in the third Test against New Zealand are former captain Ben Stokes, who has since retired from international cricket, the injured Bethell and legspinner Rehan Ahmed, who has been left out. The Test series against Pakistan, which begins on August 19 in Headingley, will also mark the first assignment for England in the post Stokes-Brendon McCullum era, with Joe Root returning as full-time captain of the Test side since stepping down from the role in 2022. Stephen Fleming was recently appointed McCullum’s successor as the coach of the Test side, but will only take charge later in the year when England tour South Africa. Marcus Trescothick will step in as interim head coach for the Pakistan series. "We have selected a squad for the first two Tests that balances rising talent with the experience needed against a quality Pakistan team," said England men's national selector Marcus North. "Dan Lawrence returns following an exceptional season so far with Surrey and we believe he has the right level of experience, maturity and skill to complement our middle order," North added. "Jordan Cox is well regarded as one of the most exciting talents in English cricket and will have the opportunity to bat at 3 in place of Jacob Bethell, who sadly misses this series through injury.” The first Test will be held at Leeds, and the second one will be held at Lord's on August 27. The third and final Test will be played at Edgbaston from September 9. England are currently No. 7 in the World Test Championship standings while Pakistan, who levelled the Test series against West Indies, are placed eighth. England squad for first two Tests against Pakistan: Joe Root (c), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Jordan Cox, Ben Duckett, Matthew Fisher, Emilio Gay, Dan Lawrence, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue.