Of the opposite seven gamers to signal one-year offers final 12 months, James Anderson, Moeen Ali and Dawid Malan have all retired from worldwide cricket, and Ben Foakes and Ollie Robinson have been dropped. Solely Jack Leach and Reece Topley seem like candidates for brand new contracts.
Jamie Smith and Shoaib Bashir are in line for central contracts for the primary time after turning into regulars within the Take a look at aspect. Jonny Bairstow nonetheless has a 12 months left on his deal, regardless of not taking part in for England for the reason that T20 World Cup in June.
England’s three-match collection in Pakistan begins on Monday and Stokes will miss a fourth Take a look at since injuring his hamstring taking part in for Northern Superchargers at the start of August. Ollie Pope continues to deputise as captain.
England gained 3-0 in Pakistan two years in the past, however are with out the three tempo bowlers who performed on that tour. Apart from Anderson and Robinson, Mark Wooden is injured.
Of their absence, Chris Woakes will play his first Take a look at in Asia since 2016, Gus Atkinson will function in his first away Take a look at and Brydon Carse makes his Take a look at debut.
It appears set to be a gruelling problem for England’s seamers. Although the Multan floor appears to be like more likely to have a inexperienced tinge, the temperature can be round 36 levels.
“There aren’t any doubts in my thoughts concerning the bowlers we now have picked,” mentioned Stokes. “We all know they’ll be capable of stand up to that warmth.
“It takes character and we now have loads of characters in our dressing room who can be prepared to face as much as the problem of taking part in Take a look at cricket out right here.”
