England Playing XI: Fast-bowler Matthew Potts has been named in England's playing eleven for the first Test against Sri Lanka, starting at Old Trafford on Wednesday. The right-handed batter, Harry Brook has been named vice-captain in the series which sees Ollie Pope as the stand-in skipper in Ben Stokes’ absence.
Potts, whose last appearance in the longer format came in the one-off Test against Ireland in June 2023, gets into the eleven ahead of fellow pacer Olly Stone and uncapped batter Jordan Cox. His inclusion comes at the expense of Stokes, who was ruled out of the rest of the summer due to a hamstring injury sustained during the recent Men's Hundred competition.
With Potts slotted at number nine, Jamie Smith, Chris Woakes and Gus Atkinson will now play at six, seven and eight respectively, as England now have four fast-bowling options to cover up for Stokes’ absence.
