England without Atkinson but regains Carse and Woakes for first test against India
England's remodeled pace attack lost Gus Atkinson to injury but has regained Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse for the first test against India starting on June 20 in Leeds.
With Atkinson ruled out of selection after injuring his right hamstring in the innings defeat of Zimbabwe in last month's one-off test, England again has had to shuffle a fast-bowler unit missing injured pair Mark Wood (knee) and Jofra Archer (thumb) and permanently deprived of now-retired stalwarts James Anderson and Stuart Broad.
Woakes has only recently returned from a long-term ankle injury and has been playing for England's second-string Lions against India A. Carse also missed the match against Zimbabwe while he fully recovered from a toe injury sustained while playing in the Champions Trophy in February, but is set to return.
Meanwhile, Jamie Overton, a bowling allrounder, has been picked despite breaking his right little finger during a one-day international against the West Indies on May 29 and is back in the test squad for the first time since June 2022 when he earned his sole cap against New Zealand.
That was at Headingley, where England and India will begin their highly anticipated five-match series.
Also in the 14-man squad is rising star batter Jacob Bethell, who didn't return home from the Indian Premier League to play against Zimbabwe but has been playing in the ODIs against the Windies.
It looks to be a straight shootout between Bethell and Ollie Pope to bat at No. 3, but Pope has the edge given he is vice captain and scored a big century against the Zimbabweans.
There will be further tests at Edgbaston, Lord's, Old Trafford and the Oval.
___
England squad: Ben Stokes (captain), Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes.
___
AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Vancouver Sun
7 hours ago
- Vancouver Sun
Less stress, more swagger: B.C. Lions' QB Nathan Rourke aiming to have fun this season
Nathan Rourke is trying to add a little something to his game this season — the B.C. Lions quarterback wants to have more fun. 'That's a little bit of a goal for myself, trying to play a little bit more loose and not take things so seriously. So, trying to have a little bit more fun out there,' he said. 'And when you try to have fun, you probably end up doing that and actually have fun.' Last season didn't go the way Rourke or the Lions expected. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. The Canadian QB wasn't on B.C.'s roster to start the campaign as he worked to land a permanent job in the NFL. He re-signed with the Lions — where he had a standout campaign in 2022 — in mid-August, but struggled in his return. B.C. finished with a 9-9 regular-season record. Vancouver hosted the Grey Cup, but hopes of a home-team win were quashed when the Saskatchewan Roughriders downed the Lions in the West semifinal. B.C. will kick off a new campaign on Saturday when they host a revamped Edmonton Elks side. With a full training camp behind him and new head coach Buck Pierce at the helm, the 27-year-old Rourke believes this year could be different. 'I feel good. Body feels good. I'm excited about Buck's offence,' he said. 'It's been fun to practice these last couple of days and in training camp. Guys are excited about it. So hopefully that excitement just continues and turns into points.' Pierce, a former CFL quarterback and longtime assistant coach with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, was named B.C.'s head coach and offensive coordinator in December, replacing Rick Campbell. The league has long envied the offence Pierce crafted for the Blue Bombers, said Lions defensive back Garry Peters. 'They've been our rivals for so long, so I've admired him from afar. For him to finally be on my side, I can just pick his brain and learn as much as I can about the way they did things over there. Because obviously they're a championship program,' he said. 'For him to bring that over here and instil that in us, it gets me excited and gives me hope that we can do special things this year.' Pierce helped the Bombers to five straight Grey Cup appearances, including wins in 2019 and 2021. Having him in charge has injected a new sense of confidence into the Lions' players, said receiver Keon Hatcher. 'I feel like, especially in the offensive, the skill positions, we're very excited about what he's bringing to the table as an offensive coordinator, as a head coach, calling the plays and stuff like that,' he said. 'I feel like he puts us in a great position to make plays. And I just can't say enough about how excited we are just to learn this offence and be able to go out there and put on a display during the season.' After nearly a month getting to know his team at training camp in Kamloops, Pierce believes what could set his team apart this season is their competitive spirit. 'Ever since training camp got here, they're pushing each other. I think when you look at the way they interact, the way they communicate, they're really doing a good job of talking to each other, putting themselves in positions to be successful,' the coach said. 'Everybody's talented at this level. And we have talented guys, just like everybody else. That's what I keep talking to them about — what are we willing to do that other teams aren't willing to do? If you want to be successful, you've got to put the work in. And I'm proud of this group because they're workers.' B.C. also made changes to its front office in December, elevating Ryan Rigmaiden from assistant general manager to general manager. He responded with a series of off-season moves, including dealing veteran QB Vernon Adams Jr. to the Calgary Stampeders, signing former Toronto Argonaut Dejon Allen to add size and toughness to the offensive line in free agency, and bringing running back James Butler back into the fold following two seasons with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The current group is a good mix of young talent and veteran leaders, said Peters, who's heading into his 10th season with the Lions. 'Every year, everybody thinks their team is going to go to the Grey Cup. And it's no different this year for us,' he said. 'But just us going through the process and focusing more on the details, the details are the most important thing. So for me, seeing all the guys focusing more on the details, it just gets me excited for what's to come.'
Toronto Star
12 hours ago
- Toronto Star
Less stress, more swagger: QB Nathan Rourke aiming to have fun with new-look Lions
VANCOUVER - Nathan Rourke is trying to add a little something to his game this season — the B.C. Lions quarterback wants to have more fun. 'That's a little bit of a goal for myself, trying to play a little bit more loose and not take things so seriously. So, trying to have a little bit more fun out there,' he said. 'And when you try to have fun, you probably end up doing that and actually having fun.' Last season didn't go the way Rourke or the Lions expected. The Canadian QB wasn't on B.C.'s roster to start the campaign as he worked to land a permanent job in the NFL. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW He re-signed with the Lions — where he had a standout campaign in 2022 — in mid-August, but struggled in his return. B.C. finished with a 9-9 regular-season record. Vancouver hosted the Grey Cup, but hopes of a home-team win were quashed when the Saskatchewan Roughriders downed the Lions in the West semifinal. B.C. will kick off a new campaign on Saturday when they host a revamped Edmonton Elks side. With a full training camp behind him and new head coach Buck Pierce at the helm, the 27-year-old Rourke believes this year could be different. 'I feel good. Body feels good. I'm excited about Buck's offence,' he said. 'It's been fun to practice these last couple of days and in training camp. Guys are excited about it. So hopefully that excitement just continues and turns into points.' Pierce, a former CFL quarterback and longtime assistant coach with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, was named B.C.'s head coach and offensive coordinator in December, replacing Rick Campbell. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW The entire league has long envied the offence Pierce crafted for the Blue Bombers, said Lions defensive back Garry Peters. 'They've been our rivals for so long, so I've admired him from afar. For him to finally be on my side, I can just pick his brain and learn as much as I can about the way they did things over there. Because obviously they're a championship program,' he said. 'For him to bring that over here and instil that in us, it gets me excited and gives me hope that we can do special things this year.' Pierce helped the Bombers to five straight Grey Cup appearances, including wins in 2019 and 2021. Having him in charge has injected a new sense of confidence into the Lions' players, said receiver Keon Hatcher. 'I feel like, especially in the offensive, the skill positions, we're very excited about what he's bringing to the table as an offensive coordinator, as a head coach, calling the plays and stuff like that,' he said. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'I feel like he puts us in a great position to make plays. And I just can't say enough about how excited we are just to learn this offence and be able to go out there and put on a display during the season.' After nearly a month getting to know his team at training camp in Kamloops, B.C., Pierce believes what could set his team apart this season is their competitive spirit. 'Ever since training camp got here, they're pushing each other. I think when you look at the way they interact, the way they communicate, they're really doing a good job of talking to each other, putting themselves in positions to be successful,' the coach said. 'Everybody's talented at this level. And we have talented guys, just like everybody else. That's what I keep talking to them about — what are we willing to do that other teams aren't willing to do? If you want to be successful, you've got to put the work in. And I'm proud of this group because they're workers.' B.C. also made changes to its front office in December, elevating Ryan Rigmaiden from assistant general manager to general manager. He responded with a series of off-season moves, including dealing veteran QB Vernon Adams Jr. to the Calgary Stampeders, signing former Toronto Argonaut Dejon Allen to add size and toughness to the offensive line in free agency, and bringing running back James Butler back into the fold following two seasons with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW The current group is a good mix of young talent and veteran leaders, said Peters, who's heading into his 10th season with the Lions. 'Every year, everybody thinks their team is going to go to the Grey Cup. And it's no different this year for us,' he said. 'But just us going through the process and focusing more on the details, the details are the most important thing. So for me, seeing all the guys focusing more on the details, it just gets me excited for what's to come.' 2024 record: 9-9-0, third, West Division Did you know?: Rap icon and noted sports fan Snoop Dogg will perform before the Lions' season opener on Saturday. More than 50,000 fans are expected to take in the concert — and the game — at B.C. Place. Key additions: RB James Butler (Hamilton), OL Dejon Allen (Toronto), LB Micah Awe (Calgary), QB Jeremiah Masoli (Ottawa) Key losses: QB Vernon Adams Jr. (Calgary), WR Alexander Hollins (free agent), FB David Mackie (retired), RB William Stanback (Ottawa), LB Ryder Varga (Toronto) Players to watch: Rourke, Butler, DL Mathieu Betts, WR Justin McInnis This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 6, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
13 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Less stress, more swagger: QB Nathan Rourke aiming to have fun with new-look Lions
VANCOUVER – Nathan Rourke is trying to add a little something to his game this season — the B.C. Lions quarterback wants to have more fun. 'That's a little bit of a goal for myself, trying to play a little bit more loose and not take things so seriously. So, trying to have a little bit more fun out there,' he said. 'And when you try to have fun, you probably end up doing that and actually having fun.' Last season didn't go the way Rourke or the Lions expected. The Canadian QB wasn't on B.C.'s roster to start the campaign as he worked to land a permanent job in the NFL. He re-signed with the Lions — where he had a standout campaign in 2022 — in mid-August, but struggled in his return. B.C. finished with a 9-9 regular-season record. Vancouver hosted the Grey Cup, but hopes of a home-team win were quashed when the Saskatchewan Roughriders downed the Lions in the West semifinal. B.C. will kick off a new campaign on Saturday when they host a revamped Edmonton Elks side. With a full training camp behind him and new head coach Buck Pierce at the helm, the 27-year-old Rourke believes this year could be different. 'I feel good. Body feels good. I'm excited about Buck's offence,' he said. 'It's been fun to practice these last couple of days and in training camp. Guys are excited about it. So hopefully that excitement just continues and turns into points.' Pierce, a former CFL quarterback and longtime assistant coach with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, was named B.C.'s head coach and offensive coordinator in December, replacing Rick Campbell. The entire league has long envied the offence Pierce crafted for the Blue Bombers, said Lions defensive back Garry Peters. 'They've been our rivals for so long, so I've admired him from afar. For him to finally be on my side, I can just pick his brain and learn as much as I can about the way they did things over there. Because obviously they're a championship program,' he said. 'For him to bring that over here and instil that in us, it gets me excited and gives me hope that we can do special things this year.' Pierce helped the Bombers to five straight Grey Cup appearances, including wins in 2019 and 2021. Having him in charge has injected a new sense of confidence into the Lions' players, said receiver Keon Hatcher. 'I feel like, especially in the offensive, the skill positions, we're very excited about what he's bringing to the table as an offensive coordinator, as a head coach, calling the plays and stuff like that,' he said. 'I feel like he puts us in a great position to make plays. And I just can't say enough about how excited we are just to learn this offence and be able to go out there and put on a display during the season.' After nearly a month getting to know his team at training camp in Kamloops, B.C., Pierce believes what could set his team apart this season is their competitive spirit. 'Ever since training camp got here, they're pushing each other. I think when you look at the way they interact, the way they communicate, they're really doing a good job of talking to each other, putting themselves in positions to be successful,' the coach said. 'Everybody's talented at this level. And we have talented guys, just like everybody else. That's what I keep talking to them about — what are we willing to do that other teams aren't willing to do? If you want to be successful, you've got to put the work in. And I'm proud of this group because they're workers.' B.C. also made changes to its front office in December, elevating Ryan Rigmaiden from assistant general manager to general manager. He responded with a series of off-season moves, including dealing veteran QB Vernon Adams Jr. to the Calgary Stampeders, signing former Toronto Argonaut Dejon Allen to add size and toughness to the offensive line in free agency, and bringing running back James Butler back into the fold following two seasons with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The current group is a good mix of young talent and veteran leaders, said Peters, who's heading into his 10th season with the Lions. 'Every year, everybody thinks their team is going to go to the Grey Cup. And it's no different this year for us,' he said. 'But just us going through the process and focusing more on the details, the details are the most important thing. So for me, seeing all the guys focusing more on the details, it just gets me excited for what's to come.' 2024 record: 9-9-0, third, West Division Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. Did you know?: Rap icon and noted sports fan Snoop Dogg will perform before the Lions' season opener on Saturday. More than 50,000 fans are expected to take in the concert — and the game — at B.C. Place. Key additions: RB James Butler (Hamilton), OL Dejon Allen (Toronto), LB Micah Awe (Calgary), QB Jeremiah Masoli (Ottawa) Key losses: QB Vernon Adams Jr. (Calgary), WR Alexander Hollins (free agent), FB David Mackie (retired), RB William Stanback (Ottawa), LB Ryder Varga (Toronto) Players to watch: Rourke, Butler, DL Mathieu Betts, WR Justin McInnis This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 6, 2025.
