England have named an unchanged Test squad for the first game of their three-match series against Pakistan starting on August 5th.

England will face the tourists behind close doors in a bio-secure environment next Wednesday at Old Trafford before playing the final two fixtures at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton.

Joe Root’s side came from 1-0 down to beat the West Indies 2-1. Stuart Broad was named Player of the Series despite being dropped ahead of the opening Test.

The hosts have retained their bowling line with Joe Root having the unenviable task of deciding which seamers out of Jofra Archer, Stuart Broad, Chris Woakes, Sam Curran, Mark Wood and James Anderson deserve a place in the first XI.

Wicketkeeper Jos Buttler keeps his place after scoring a useful 67 in the last Test. Surrey’s Ben Foakes has been named a reserve.

Spinner Jack Leach also had to settle for a spot on the reserve list with England backing 23-year-old Dom Bess who took 5-208 across their series win over the Windies.

Smith said: “After three Tests in quick succession against the West Indies, we now turn to an equally condensed Test series against Pakistan, with 15 days of Test cricket scheduled in a three-week period.

“County cricket now restarts on Saturday August 1. We want to have sufficient reserves inside the biosecure Test match ‘bubble’, but we may also want to give opportunities, where possible, for the reserves to play county cricket. As we seek the best balance here, England may make changes to the reserves during the three-match series against Pakistan.”

The squad and reserves will to Old Trafford on Sunday 2 August 2020 to begin their preparation for the series.

England squad for first Pakistan Test:

Joe Root (captain), James Anderson, Jofra Archer, Dominic Bess, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Ollie Pope, Dom Sibley, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.

Reserves:

James Bracey, Ben Foakes, Jack Leach, Dan Lawrence.