ENG v SA 2022: ECB announces England playing XI for first Test against South Africa; one change made

The first Test of the three-match series will be played at Lord's from August 17.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced the England team playing XI for the first Test of the three-match series against South Africa which will be played at Lord’s from August 17 onwards.

England will be looking forward to bettering their position in the World Test Championship (WTC 2021-23) as they are placed at the 7^th spot, while their opponents South Africa are at the top of the table coming into this three-Test series.

England playing XI for the first Test at Lord’s remains practically the same as which played India in the recent Edgbaston Test with just one change. Ben Foakes comes in as the wicketkeeper to replace Sam Billings. Foakes had missed the India Test due to Covid-19 infection.

“No one will be stupid enough,” Anderson doesn’t see anyone wanting to play Test cricket till 40

Zak Crawley and Alex Lees will be seen opening the innings. Ollie Pope will be batting at no.3 and Joe Root will hold the fort at the no.4 position. Jonny Bairstow and captain Ben Stokes follow next. England has picked Jack Lees as the only spinner in the XI.

It has picked three pacers in the experienced duo of James Anderson and Stuart Broad who will be aided in the pace department by newbie Matthew Potts who impressed against New Zealand and India.

England squad for the first Test against South Africa:

Zak Crawley, Alex Lees, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes (C), Ben Foakes (WK), Stuart Broad, Jack Leach, Matthew Potts, James Anderson

(ECB inputs)