Jacob Bethell to miss England's Test series against Pakistan as Ollie Pope and Brydon Carse recalled for first time since Ashes
Joe Root's second spell as England Test captain begins with a three-match series against Pakistan, starting in Leeds on August 19, live on Sky Sports Cricket; Ollie Pope and Brydon Carse return to squad for first time since Ashes
Thursday 6 August 2026 10:34, UK
Jacob Bethell will miss the entirety of England's upcoming Test series against Pakistan, while Ollie Pope and Brydon Carse have been named in the 16-man squad.
England are preparing to return to action following their series defeat to New Zealand and the departures of head coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes.
Joe Root, reinstalled as skipper following Stokes' international retirement, will lead a team seeking to turn the page on a difficult spell on and off the field.
England's new head coach Stephen Fleming will not take charge until after the three-match series, which begins at Headingley on August 19, live on Sky Sports Cricket.
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Bethell sustained a knee injury during England's ODI series against India in July, causing him to miss The Hundred.
He will remain sidelined for the Pakistan series, with Essex wicketkeeper Jordan Cox replacing him at No 3, having made his Test debut earlier this summer.
Pope, formerly vice-captain under Stokes, and Carse return to the Test squad for the first time since England's dismal Ashes tour of Australia last winter.
Dan Lawrence has also been recalled to the side two years after his last Test appearance and is set to enter the starting XI to bat at No 6.
England national selector Marcus North said: "We have selected a squad for the first two Tests that balances rising talent with the experience needed against a quality Pakistan team.
"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.
"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."
England squad to face Pakistan
Joe Root (Yorkshire - captain)
Jofra Archer (Sussex)
Gus Atkinson (Surrey)
Shoaib Bashir (Derbyshire)
Harry Brook (Yorkshire)
Brydon Carse (Durham)
Sam Cook (Essex)
Jordan Cox (Essex)
Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire)
Matthew Fisher (Surrey)
Emilio Gay (Durham)
Dan Lawrence (Surrey)
Ollie Pope (Surrey)
Ollie Robinson (Sussex)
Jamie Smith (Surrey)
Josh Tongue (Nottinghamshire)
England vs Pakistan (Test cricket) - August and September
- First Test (Wednesday August 19-Sunday August 23) - Headingley, Leeds (11am)
- Second Test (Thursday August 27-Monday August 31) - Lord's, London (11am)
- Third Test (Wednesday September 9-Sunday September 13) - Edgbaston, Birmingham (11am)
Watch the three-Test series between England and Pakistan live on Sky Sports Cricket from August 19. Stream cricket and more sport contract-free with NOW.
