Matthew Potts Returns to Test Cricket as England Face Sri Lanka

Matthew Potts will join England as an extra seamer for the first Test against Sri Lanka at Emirates Old Trafford on Wednesday. Potts, returning to Test cricket after over a year will replace injured captain Ben Stokes, who has sidelined himself with a hamstring injury. England have decided to add a fourth specialist fast bowler rather than a batter to cover Stokes’ absence.

Consequently, wicketkeeper Jamie Smith will bat at number six with Chris Woakes at seven and Gus Atkinson, Potts, Mark Wood, and spinner Shoaib Bashir completing the lineup. Ollie Pope will captain England for the first time, becoming the team’s 82nd Test captain. Harry Brook has earned a promotion to vice-captain and Dan Lawrence will return to the squad for his first Test in over two years replacing the injured Zak Crawley.

Crawley, who broke his finger while attempting a slip catch in the final Test against the West Indies will miss the series but hopes to return for the October tour of Pakistan. Stokes attended England’s training session but will not participate in the series. Pope and coach Brendon McCullum addressed the squad in his absence. England selected Potts over Nottinghamshire’s Olly Stone due to Dillon Pennington’s injury.

Matthew Potts, with six caps and 23 wickets at an average of 29, last played against Ireland at Lord’s over a year ago. Lawrence, who last played for England in 2022, looks forward to opening the batting, despite not having done so in a Test match before. He aims to impress during the series, knowing that Crawley is expected to return once fit. Pope, who has led Surrey in various formats is ready for the captaincy and Lawrence trusts in his leadership abilities.