England name 16-man squad vs Pakistan: Cox at No 3, Pope and Lawrence recalled

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Jordan Cox handed No 3 position due to Bethell injury

Root’s first assignment back as captain is at Headingley

On paper, the answer to how England will replace Ben Stokes for the Test series against Pakistan appears to be to throw bodies at the problem and have options. A 16-strong squad has been selected for the first two Tests starting on 19 August, akin to a ­touring party and at risk of being bloated.

Although on announcing the squad on Thursday – a group that has Jordan Cox slated to bat at No 3, with Jacob Bethell missing the series with a knee injury – the national selector, Marcus North, laid out the intended structure of the XI that will play under Joe Root when he dutifully returns to the captaincy .

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