England Playing 11 for the 3rd Test against Sri Lanka announced; Josh Hull handed debut

England have unveiled their playing XI for the third Test of the ongoing three-match series against Sri Lanka at home.

The England team has made one change to their team that secured a resounding 190-run win during the second Test match at the iconic Lord's in London last week.

The Ollie Pope-led side has an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series and will be looking to complete a whitewash over Sri Lanka.

They have the chance to finish their home red-ball season undefeated. The third Test match will be played at The Oval in London, starting on Friday, September 6.

Josh Hull To Make His Test Debut For England During 3rd Match

20-year-old left-arm fast bowler Josh Hull will make his Test debut during the upcoming match.

Hull will replace Matthew Potts, who took five wickets in the first two Tests of the ongoing series. Notably, Hull was added to the England Test team as a replacement for the injured Mark Wood.

Josh Hull has taken 16 wickets in 10 first-class matches with an average of 62.75. The 6ft 7in pace bowler played against Sri Lanka before this series.

He registered 5-74 across the two innings while playing for the England Lions last month. He has earned a Test debut despite limited experience.

Skipper Ollie Pope has been under pressure after failing to perform with the bat. Pope will be hoping to score runs before the upcoming red-ball series against Pakistan.

Middle-order batters Joe Root, Harry Brook, and wicketkeeper Jamie Smith aim to continue their form in the last game.

The pace trio of Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, and Olly Stone performed well in the last Test. Hull will add variety to the bowling attack with his left-arm bowling.

Shoaib Bashir is the only frontline spinner in the playing XI. The hosts have backed a four-pacer strategy throughout the series.

England Playing XI: Dan Lawrence,⁠ ⁠Ben Duckett,⁠ Ollie Pope (c), ⁠Joe Root, Harry Brook (vc), Jamie Smith (wk), ⁠Chris Woakes, ⁠Gus Atkinson, ⁠Olly Stone, ⁠Josh Hull, ⁠and Shoaib Bashir.

It Is Very Much This Present Regime - Nasser Hussain

Former England skipper Nasser Hussain said that Josh Hull was included in the team due to his pace. Hussain added that the selectors prioritize pace over county cricket statistics. He hoped that Hull would continue the trend of successful selections.

"It is very much this present regime, there is a disconnect from County Cricket stats and what they want. The only stat they seem interested in is pace and potential pace in Hull's case. He could get quicker," Hussain said.

"I am rushing to see wickets from Hull and he looks quick enough, he swings it, all I've seen is stumps flying everywhere in white-ball cricket. What they have done well is everyone they have selected has come in and done well. I'm hoping Josh Hull continues that," he added.

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