England have named a 17-man squad for their upcoming tour of Pakistan, one that has a very different feel to the group that won 3-0 in Pakistan two years ago.
That series cleansweep is arguably the highpoint of the Stokes-McCullum era. It is striking how few players – only eight – from that tour have been retained for England’s next visit to Pakistan. James Anderson retired earlier this summer, Mark Wood is injured, Ben Foakes and Ollie Robinson have been moved on, while Will Jacks, Liam Livingstone, Keaton Jennings and Jamie Overton are all out of the picture completely.
Here are four takeaways from today’s squad announcement.
Will an inexperienced seam attack adapt to Pakistani conditions?
England’s seam attack was the cornerstone of their 2022 triumph in Pakistan. On a succession of extremely flat pitches, Robinson and Anderson were not only frugal but exerted expert control of the reverse swinging ball; both averaged under 22 and conceded their runs at fewer than 2.50 runs per over. Though Wood’s method of attack was completely different – unleashed for short, sharp bursts of high pace – his returns were practically identical to his fellow seamers.
For different reasons, none of those three will be in Pakistan. England looked to have completely moved on from Robinson despite his outstanding Test record of 76 wickets at 22.92, chiefly for his recent inability to maintain his speeds throughout a day’s play.
Not only will Anderson and Robinson not be on tour, there is, Woakes aside, no one of a similar profile. England have trusted the bowlers they have used over the course of the 2024 Test summer with Olly Stone, Matt Potts, Gus Atkinson and Josh Hull all selected. Brydon Carse, uncapped at Test level, is the other seamer included – he bowls at a similar pace to Stone and is a viable option to bat at eight, so is a handy option to have in the mix.
Woakes’ overseas return
After a second successive outstanding home summer, Chris Woakes is back in the squad for an overseas Test tour for the first time since early 2022.. The difference between Woakes’ home and away records is marked. At home, his numbers stand up well against the best England have ever produced with 137 Tests wickets at 21.59 runs apiece; away from home, that average skyrockets to 51.88.
Why is there such a pronounced difference in returns? Home conditions certainly favour Woakes’ style of bowling, especially the use of the Dukes ball which generally swings throughout an innings if nursed well by the fielding side. His recent adoption of the wobble seam may improve his overseas threat, but either way, it is still a big call to entrust Woakes overseas after a two-and-a-half year hiatus.
It is worth noting that pitches in Pakistan may be very different to what England encountered in 2022. The most recent Pakistan-Bangladesh Test at Rawalpindi was played in what generally were seam friendly conditions, which may bring Woakes more into the equation.
Fewer all-rounders than in 2022
Two of England’s more sensational picks in 2022 were those of Jacks and Livingstone. Jacks had enjoyed a breakout year as Surrey’s lead spin-bowling all-rounder in the Championship, but Livingstone was picked despite not having played a first-class match in over a year. Both were selected to give England all-round depth; they could lengthen their batting line-up without compromising on their number of bowling options.
There is no such funkiness in their squad this time around having largely stuck to the group that they used in the 2024 home summer. Rehan Ahmed, who debuted in the final Test of the 2022 tour, is the sole spin-bowling all-rounder, though it is likely that England will balance their side with Stokes at six – fitness permitting – Smith at seven, two seamers at eight and nine with Bashir and Leach at 10 and 11. Tom Hartley, who occasionally batted at eight on England’s tour of India earlier this year, has not been selected.
Lawrence dropped
Dan Lawrence’s slow trudge off the Oval outfield on Sunday spoke of a man who knew the significance of the opportunity he’d let slip in that final knock of the home summer. Though utilised in an unfamiliar position up at the top of the order, he has been punished for a run of six sub-40 scores.
In his stead as the squad’s spare batter is Jordan Cox, the man who replaced Lawrence at Chelmsford after the 27-year-old’s move to south London last year. Cox will also operate as the spare keeper. Lawrence’s omission is somewhat of a surprise, especially considering the option he presents with the ball. Since moving to Surrey, he has often been picked as their first choice spinner.
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