Lawrence, Cox in North's first England squad

Dan Lawrence and Jordan Cox have been earmarked to play in England's first Test against Pakistan with Jacob Bethell set to miss the three-match series because of a right knee injury.

The post-Ben Stokes era starts at Headingley on August 19 and Surrey's batting allrounder Lawrence is set to have the first crack at trying to fill the prodigious shoes of the former Test captain.

But selector Marcus North, the former Australia batter and WA captain, indicated Sam Curran was the likely long-term successor to Stokes' position in the team, although fitness concerns have kept him out from this squad for the opening two Tests.

Lawrence is set to bat at number six with wicketkeeper Jamie Smith likely to slot in one place lower down, while Bethell being sidelined has opened the door for Cox, who has been allocated first drop in the batting order.

Cox's own injury misfortune meant he only made his Test debut against New Zealand at the Kia Oval in June, when he was down at seven, but he is set for a more prominent role.

"With the retirement of Ben Stokes, it's quite clear that he provided us with a certain balance in the team," North said following the squad announcement. "Sam Curran is certainly a player of interest for us.

"Sam has had a really heavy workload this summer playing a tremendous amount of cricket, and during that time he's been doing so with a couple of niggles, which you expect most bowlers do. But at this stage with a couple of niggles - we've seen he's missed a game in the Hundred - we don't feel physically, he's just quite right there.

"I think (it would be) unfair to put him into these first two Tests. He's someone our backroom staff and medical team will be working with in the coming weeks to make sure that he potentially becomes an option in the third Test.

"He's someone that we really value highly and we see playing a role in the future for us as an allrounder."

Fast bowler Brydon Carse missed the 2-1 loss against the Black Caps because of an injury to his right hand but he has been named in England's 16-player squad for the first two Tests under returning captain Joe Root, with Marcus Trescothick interim head coach in the absence of the newly-appointed Stephen Fleming.

Former vice-captain Ollie Pope has also been recalled, having been discarded after a disappointing Ashes in which he averaged 20.83 before making way for Bethell, while seamer Sam Cook is also included, having made his lone Test appearance against Zimbabwe in May 2025 and been overlooked since.

Off-spinner Shoaib Bashir has been retained although it remains to be seen if he keeps his spot in the XI after confirmation that Lawrence, who bowls useful off-breaks, will definitely be in the team.

England head into the Headingley opener against Pakistan having lost seven of their past nine Tests while they are without a series win since December 2024.

National selector North added: "We have selected a squad for the first two Tests that balances rising talent with the experience needed against a quality Pakistan team.

"Dan Lawrence returns following an exceptional season so far with Surrey and we believe he has the right level of experience, maturity and skill to complement our middle order.

"Jordan Cox is well regarded as one of the most exciting talents in English cricket and will have the opportunity to bat at 3 in place of Jacob Bethell, who sadly misses this series through injury."