England host Pakistan in the second Investec test match at Old Trafford, Manchester on 22 July (Friday) with Pakistan leading the four-match series 1-0. England have added James Anderson, Ben Stokes and Adil Rashid to their squad for the second Test.
Lack of runs at Lord’s cost us 100%. It’s an opportunity here and the guys are in good frame of mind.
Alastair Cook, England Captain
Middlesex bowler Toby Roland-Jones drops out, but both Steven Finn and Jake Ball retain their places. Both Anderson and Stokes missed the 75-run defeat in the first Test as they continued their recovery from injury by playing for their counties.
Stokes will be hoping to return to England’s top six, while Yorkshire leg-spinner Rashid adds options at a ground renowned for being one of the country’s most receptive to slow bowlers.
Anderson took 3-58 as he bowled 22 overs for Lancashire over the weekend while Stokes proved his fitness by sending down more than 36 overs in the match, including taking three wickets in the home side’s second innings at Southport.
England squad: Cook, Hales, Root, Vince, Ballance, Stokes, Bairstow, Moeen, Rashid, Woakes, Broad, Anderson, Finn, Ball.
Pakistan expected to field an unchanged squad
Pakistan created history beating England by 75-runs at Lords to win their first Test at the venue in 20 years.
Yasir Shah is the best leg-spinner since Shane Warne.
Ben Stokes
Yasir Shah was the star of the show taking 10 wickets for 141 runs to spin Pakistan to victory; but that is not to overshadow the hundred made by skipper Misbah-ul-Haq in the first innings or the role played by Asad Shafiq or Wahab Riaz.
Left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir finally got redemption six years after he was involved in the spot-fixing controversy, picking up the final wicket of Jake Ball to send the nation into a frenzy. While not at his best, Amir will look to improve as the series plays on.
The visitors are expected to field the same 11 who played in their historic victory at Lords.
Third Investec Test Match at Edgbaston
Edgbaston hosts the third Investec Test Match between England and Pakistan on Wednesday 3 – Sunday 7 August with tickets still available for all days priced from just £6 for Under 16’s and £31 for Adults. Tickets can be purchased online by clicking here or calling 0844 847 1902.
Please note we have limited availability in most areas on Friday 5 August (Day 3).
