England have unveiled a 14-member squad for the upcoming three-match Test series against Sri Lanka, commencing on Wednesday ( August 21), at Old Trafford in Manchester, followed by the next two games on August 29 at Lord’s and September 6 at The Oval. The squad retains the core of the team that clinche??d a 3-0 series victory against?? the West Indies, with two enforced changes due to injuries.

The reason behind Zak Crawley’s absence

Opener Zak Crawley has been ruled out of the series owing to his injury. Crawley, who sustained a finger injury during the third Test against the West Indies at Edgbaston, is unable to participate in both The Hundred 2024 and the Sri Lanka series. Daniel Lawrence, the reserve batter, is set to open the innings alongside Ben Duckett in Crawley’s absence.

“Opening batter Zak Crawley will miss the series due to a fractured right little finger sustained in the third Test victory over the West Indies,” The ECB’s official statement reads.

Another key change

Dillon Pennington, who was part of the squad for the West Indies series but did not play, also suffered a hamstring injury during his first match for the Northern Superchargers in The Hundred against the Oval Invincibles. This ?injury has also ruled him out of the forthcoming Test ??series.

“Seam bowler Dillon Pennington, who featured in the Test squad during the recent series victory over the West Indies, will also miss the series after sustaining a hamstring injury while playing in The Hundred competition,” the statement further added.

Also READ: Kumar Sangakka?ra reacts to potential appointment as England’s white-ball coach

New inclusions and promising talent

Essex’s Jordan Cox has received his maiden call-up to the national team following an impressive season in the County Championship. Cox will serve as additional batting cover for the three Tests, offering fresh talent and depth to the squad. Replacing Pennington in the squad as the extra pace option will be Olly Stone, who returns to the Test squad for the first time in three years. Stone, despite his injury concerns, has been in terrific form for Nottinghamshire and has performed well in his few appearances for the London Spirit in The Hundred. His inclusion brings additional firepower to England’s pace attack.

England squad for the Test series against Sri Lanka:

Ben Stokes (c), Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Jordan Cox,? Ben Duckett, Dan Lawrence, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.

Also READ: Nasser Hussain explains why Brendon McCullum s?houldn’t be England’s white-ball coach

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On Saturday, Kent Spitfires defeated Somerset by 25 runs to w?in their second T20 Blast title at Edgbaston in Birm?ingham.

VITALITY BLAST 2021 CHAMPIONS: KENT SPITFIRES!!!#Blast21 #FinalsDay pic.twitter.com/wsTrZhFa07

— Vitality Blast (@VitalityBlast) September 18, 2021

Jordon Cox was the star of the nig??ht with a sensational half-century and a stunning catch to help Kent win their first T20 Blast trophy in 14 years.

What a way to get to your half-century @jjordancox 👏#Blast21 #FinalsDay pic.twitter.com/RwjMUbPEos

— Vitality Blast (@VitalityBlast) September 18, 2021

Asked to bat first, Kent got off to a bad start as Roelof van der Merwe picked up a three-wicket haul in quick succession to reduce Kent for 52/3. Zak Crawley tried to calm things down and made a vital 41 off 33 balls before Lewis Goldsworthy packed his innings.

Then Cox took charge and completely turned the game by a quickfire knock. He scored an unbeaten 58 runs from jus??t 28 deliveries with the help of six boundaries, including three sixes to take Kent to a respectable 167/7 in their allotted 20 overs.

In reply, Somerset could only manage to reach 142/9 in 20 overs, losing the contest by 25 runs. Opener Will Smeed and middle-order batter Tom Abell were the only batters who crossed the?? 20-run ma?rk. While Smeed made 43 off 32 balls, Abell scored 26 from 20 deliveries.

🏆�?pic.twitter.com/uGHKGf0nUs

— Kent Cricket (@KentCricket) September 18, 2021

Joe Denly was the pick of the bowler for Kent, bagging three scalps for 31 runs in his quota of 4 overs. Apart from Denly, Qais Ahmad picked up a couple? of wi??ckets for just 19 runs in 4 overs.

Cox, who shined with the bat, also took a brilliant catch to get rid of set batsman Smeed during the 11th over of Somerset’s chase. Cox was named ‘Player of the Match’ for his all-round efforts in the T20 Blast 2021 final.

Congratulations to everyone at @KentCricket, worthy T20 Champions 🏆👏 //t.co/U5P7ocQRoK

— Essex Cricket (@EssexCricket) September 18, 2021

“Unbelievable. Was focused on not getting another first-baller. Just decided to nudge it around for the first 10, and from then on, just push on. Unfortunately, it doesn’t go down as my catch (referring to Gregory’s dismissal). Just good to get the win, if I’m honest. It’s great to be around those big dogs [Darren Stevens, Sam Billings and others] in the dressing room,” said Cox after the match.

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