England captain Ben Stokes has revealed his aspect’s playing XI for the upcoming second Test towards Pakistan, scheduled to start on Friday, December 09, at Multan Cricket Stadium. The vacationers have already gained the three-match collection opener in Rawalpindi and shall be aiming for one other win to take the unassailable 2-0 lead.
Fast bowler Mark Wood has returned as a direct substitute for all-rounder Liam Livingstone, who sustained a knee damage on day two of the Rawalpindi Test and was dominated out of the whole Test collection.
Further, Ben Foakes, who missed out on the opening Test as a consequence of sickness, has not discovered his place within the last XI regardless of being totally match. Notably, Foakes had been Stokes’ go-to keeper because the Christchurch-born turned captain of England, that includes in six out of seven Tests. But Ollie Pope, who did a very good job behind the wickets in Rawalpindi, has retained his spot.
Stokes was sympathetic to Foakes for not together with him within the XI for 2nd Test, terming him as the very best technical wicketkeeper within the recreation proper now.
“The communication to Ben was that the real positive for him to take out of this selection is that it’s just for this Test match. Foakesy still is the No. 1 gloveman in England, and I’ll still keep saying it that he’s the best keeper in the world. It must sound a bit silly to not be picking him, but you’ve got to look at the conditions we face out here. Pakistan is a very hard place to come and bowl,” stated Stokes within the pre-match presser.
“Adding Mark Wood into the side gives us the best opportunity to take 20 wickets. That’s what we came here to do, we came here to try and win games of cricket, not be concerned, especially going into this game with a 1-0 lead. We want to keep continuing to press the way that we play, and we felt bringing Woody into the team was the best opportunity for us to do that out here in this specific Test match,” he added.
England XI for the second Test: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes, Will Jacks, Ollie Robinson, Jack Leach, Mark Wood, James Anderson.