The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has named England's playing XI for the second Test match against South Africa which will begin in Manchester on August 25. The visitors lead the three-Test series 1-0 after defeating the hosts in the 1st Test at Lord’s by an innings and 12 runs.
England has kept most of the team the same with Zak Crawley being continued to be backed along with Alex Lees as the opening pair. Ollie Pope has more or less cemented his spot at the no.3 and Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow provide the experience and strokeplay at no. 4 and 5.
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Captain Ben Stokes and wicketkeeper-batter Ben Foakes will lend support to the middle order, though Stokes would be cautious about his workload as a bowler as he was seen favoring his knee during the Lord’s Test match.
Jack Leach has been named as the sole specialist spinner in the side with Stuart Broad and James Anderson aiming to give England an edge ahead as they look to draw level in the three-Test series.
However, the ECB has made one change in XI, bringing in Ollie Robinson for Matthew Potts, who picked 2/79 in the first Test at Lord’s.
England XI for the second Test:
Zak Crawley, Alex Lees, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes (C), Ben Foakes (WK), Stuart Broad, Jack Leach, Ollie Robinson, James Anderson
