England have announced their playing XI for the second Test match against Sri Lanka. Speedster Olly Stone comes in for the injured Mark Wood as the hosts make only one change for the second Test of the three-match series.
Right-arm speedster Stone last played for the Three Lions in June 2021 in a home series against New Zealand. He has played only three Tests for the English team. The 30-year-old comes in place of Wood, who has suffered a right muscle strain and has been ruled out of the complete series.
ECB had called in a 6ft 7in left-arm seamer Josh Hull in place of Wood but has not been picked in the team for the Lord's Test, which will start on August 29. ECB had earlier confirmed about Wood's absence from the series.
"England Men's pace bowler Mark Wood has been ruled out of the remainder of the Rothesay Test series against Sri Lanka after scans confirmed a right thigh muscle strain. Wood sustained the injury on the third day of England's five-wicket victory in the first Test at Emirates Old Trafford, which prevented him from bowling on the final day," ECB said in a statement a few days ago.
"Leicestershire's 20-year-old left-arm seamer Josh Hull has received his first senior call-up to replace Wood in the squad for the remaining two Tests at Lord's, starting on Thursday, and at the Kia Oval on Friday, 6 September," it added.
England defeated Sri Lanka in the opening Test by five wickets at Old Trafford, Manchester. Despite being put in trouble, the hosts managed to chase down 205 with five wickets in hand. Joe Root smashed a fifty while Jamie Smith, fresh off his hundred in the first innings, made a crucial 39. The second Test is set to take place at Lord's London from August 29 onwards.
England's Playing XI for the 2nd Test:
Daniel Lawrence, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope (c), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Matthew Potts, Olly Stone, Shoaib Bashir
