ENG Vs PAK, 2018: Keaton Jennings Replaces Mark Stoneman for Headingley Test

Lancashire batsman Keaton Jennings will replace opening batsman Mark Stoneman in the England squad for the impending second Test against Pakistan. The all-important Test fixture is scheduled at Headingley beginning from June 1 (Friday).

Meanwhile, England lost the first Test comprehensively at Lord’s by nine wickets, their first loss in an opening Test of the summer in 23 years.

However, Stoneman, who returned with scores of four and nine gets the first axing. Moreover, England will be desperate to avoid their third consecutive Test series defeat.

Jennings returns to the squad for the first time since August of last year, having made his debut in 2016 against India.

Impressive Jennings notched 112 in his first innings in Mumbai, but returned a first-ball duck in the second. While he was able to score a half-century in the next Test, that was his lot for the rest of his time.

Since then, he played six Tests and 12 innings with an average of 24.50.

The southpaw has shown good form in recent games averaging almost 44 in County Championship. Jennings continued his form in the Royal London One-Day Cup with 136, followed by a 73 and 69.

Jennings showed strong temperament:

National selector Ed Smith hailed Jennings’ temperament and also praised his recent form in the domestic fold.

“Keaton Jennings showed a strong temperament in scoring a hundred on his Test match debut against India in December 2016. Keaton has found good form in county cricket this season, including three centuries in his last seven innings,” Smith noted as he was quoted by Reuters.

Meanwhile, Andy Flower’s presence in the selection panel also has helped Keaton Jennings.

Flower, formerly national head coach, is a big fan of Jennings, handing him captaincy roles with the England Lions, including the tour of Windies earlier this year.

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