Potts named in England team for first Sri Lanka Test

England have named Matthew Potts in their side as an extra seamer for the first Test against Sri Lanka at Emirates Old Trafford on Wednesday.

The 25-year-old comes in for his first Test in more than year in place of injured captain Ben Stokes, who misses the three-match series with a hamstring injury.

It means England have chosen to cover for all-rounder Stokes with a fourth specialist fast bowler, rather than a batter.

As a result, wicketkeeper Jamie Smith moves up to number six, followed by Chris Woakes at number seven, then Gus Atkinson, Potts, Mark Wood and spinner Shoaib Bashir.

In Stokes' absence, Ollie Pope will lead England for the first time, becoming their 82nd men's Test captain.

Harry Brook has been promoted to vice-captain, while Dan Lawrence returns for his first Test in more than two years, taking the place of injured opener Zak Crawley.

Crawley will miss the series after breaking his finger attempting a slip catch on the final day of the third-Test win against West Indies last month.

Both Crawley and Stokes are hoping to be fit for the tour of Pakistan in October.

Stokes was at England's training session on Monday and is likely to remain with the team throughout the series against Sri Lanka, but it was Pope and coach Brendon McCullum who addressed the squad.

In the absence of injured pace bowler Dillon Pennington, who was in the squad for the West Indies series, Potts gets the nod ahead of Nottinghamshire's Olly Stone.

The Durham man won the last of his six caps against Ireland at Lord's more than a year ago and has 23 wickets at an average of 29.

Surrey's Lawrence has not played for England since Stokes and McCullum took charge, the most recent of his 11 Tests coming on the 2022 tour of the West Indies.

The 27-year-old averages 27 with the bat and has not previously opened in Test cricket.

However, Lawrence - who came through the ranks at Essex as an opener - has often opened in white-ball cricket, and done so five times in first-class matches.

More to follow.