Veteran all-rounder Chris Woakes and fast bowler Josh Tongue have been handed a golden opportunity to stake a claim for spots in the playing XI for the first Test against India, starting on 20 June in Leeds. Both players have been named in England’s Lions squad for the match against a strong India A side in Northampton, which begins on Friday.
Tongue impressed last month during England’s emphatic win over Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge. Meanwhile, Woakes has made a successful return from an ankle injury and claimed six wickets for Warwickshire. He was also included in the squad for the first unofficial Test between England Lions and India A.
Injuries Create Openings in England’s Seam Attack
Gus Atkinson is likely to miss the first Test due to a hamstring strain. Mark Wood has already been ruled out of the series with a knee injury, and Jofra Archer is not expected to be fit before the second Test. These absences create opportunities for Tongue and Woakes, who will compete with Brydon Carse, Matthew Potts, and Sam Cook for places in the pace attack.
Ben Stokes will feature as an all-rounder, while Shoaib Bashir is expected to lead the spin department. Meanwhile, Sonny Baker and Josh Hull are unavailable due to minor injuries, and several others have returned to domestic cricket duties.
India A’s squad will include experienced names such as Karun Nair, who scored 204 runs in their last match. KL Rahul and Akash Deep are expected to join the squad in Northampton as India prepares for the Test series. Sai Sudharsan and Test captain Shubman Gill will be part of the main squad on Friday.
England Lions squad: James Rew (capt & wk), Farhan Ahmed, Jordan Cox, Rocky Flintoff, Emilio Gay, Tom Haines, George Hill, Max Holden, Ben McKinney, Eddie Jack, Ajeet Singh Dale, Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes.
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