London October 12 2022: Will Jacks has earned his maiden call-up to the England Test side as the men’s selection panel announced a 15-man squad for the three-match Test tour of Pakistan in December.
Jacks played a crucial part with both bat and ball this summer as Surrey won the County Championship Division One title. Limited-overs middle-order batter Liam Livingstone, who is a regular in England’s white-ball setup now, looks all set to make his Test debut after being called up to the squad for the first time since England’s tour of New Zealand in the spring of 2018.
Keaton Jennings has also returned to the squad after an absence of more than two years. He had an incredible summer with Lancashire as he emerged as the highest run-scorer in County Championship Division One, scoring 1233 runs at an average of 72.52 with five centuries.
Stuart Broad, who is one of the key players for England in the red-ball format, hasn’t been considered for selection as he is on paternity leave.
Mark Wood and Jamie Overton are two other quicks who have been named in the squad. Wood will be featuring in Tests for the first time since March, whereas Overton has been named again after his impressive performance on Test debut against New Zealand in the summer.
“We are looking forward to touring Pakistan as a Test team for the first time since 2005. It will be a historic tour and a compelling series against a good side,” said Rob Key, ECB Managing Director for England Men’s Cricket.
“The selectors have picked a squad for the conditions we can expect in Pakistan. There is a strong blend of youth and experience and players who will adapt well to the types of pitches we are likely to get across the three-match series.
“I wish the players every success, especially those new to the squad and those returning after a period of time away.”
As far as the current World Test championship cycle goes, England are already out of contention for the final. They are placed right at the bottom of the WTC Table, with a PCT of 38.60. They have played 19 matches so far, winning seven and losing eight.
The series will kick off with the first Test in Rawalpindi on October 1 followed by the next two matches in Multan and Karachi.
England Men’s Test squad for Pakistan tour: Ben Stokes (c), James Anderson, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ben Foakes, Will Jacks, Keaton Jennings, Jack Leach, Liam Livingstone, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Mark Wood
