Friday, September 12, 2025
spot_img

No changes in England squad for 3rd Test against Proteas

Date:

Share post:

spot_imgspot_img

London, Aug 31: England on Wednesday named an unchanged men’s squad for the third Test against South Africa, which begins on September 8 at the Kia Oval.
The series is level at 1-1 going into the deciding Test after England won the second game at Old Trafford by an innings and 85 runs. This was after the Proteas won by an innings and 12 runs in the first Test at Lord’s.
Following the win in the second Test, the England selection panel, made up of captain Ben Stokes, head coach Brendon McCullum and managing director Rob Key, have decided to keep faith with their 14-man group.
Only change would have come in the event of a defeat. Even then, McCullum is of a mind to allow players as many opportunities as possible to come good, especially with this group of players, whom he and Stokes believe are the best available in the country right now for their respective roles.
Zak Crawley, who has had a torrid run of form this summer, was the player under the most pressure to come good. But his determined 38 from 101 deliveries in England’s only innings in Manchester was lauded. Now, his opening partner Alex Lees is the focus of external deliberation, averaging 25 across the six Tests so far this summer, albeit with two half-centuries. Both Crawley and Lees have been backed by the management.
“There are not many people queuing up to bat at the top of the order, they all want to bat four, five or six. We just want to make sure we’re going to give people an opportunity. If there is ever a time when we have new opening batters or new players, they will know they will get the same amount of opportunity as these guys have done,” Rob Key told Sky Sports during the second Test.
“We have spent 10 years since Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook, trying to find an opening partnership and it is the toughest part of batting at the moment. We’re going to give them a proper go,” he added.
England squad
Ben Stokes (C), James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Foakes (WK), Jack Leach, Alex Lees, Craig Overton, Matthew Potts, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root. (IANS)

spot_imgspot_img

Related articles

Bangladesh scrape past Hong Kong

Abu Dhabi, Sep 11: Skipper Litton Das led from the front as Bangladesh registered seven-wicket win over Hong...

SC rejects call to cancel India-Pak match

New Delhi, Sep 11: The Supreme Court on Thursday refused urgent listing of a plea seeking cancellation of...

First-timers Oman take on in-form Pakistan in Asia Cup

Dubai, Sep 11: Pakistan will look to fine-tune their game ahead of the high-profile Asia Cup clash against...

SPL: Laitkor rally to beat leaders Nangkiew Irat 3-1

By Our Reporter Shillong, Sep 11: The race for the Shillong Premier League 2025 title was thrown wide open...