England bring Woakes, Carse and Overton into squad for first India Test
There is still a fortnight to go until the first Test against India but England are a team in a hurry these days. On Thursday morning they named a 14-man squad for the series opener, with Brydon Carse, Chris Woakes, and Jamie Overton all drafted in as options with the ball after Gus Atkinson was ruled out through injury.
No official date has been put on Atkinson's return after a hamstring issue picked up during the innings victory against Zimbabwe last month. But with a week between the first Test at Headingley that starts on 20 June and the second at Lord's, England are hopeful that the breakout star of last year can have an impact on the five-match series.
In the meantime, five seamers are likely to compete for three spots in the XI, with Josh Tongue and Sam Cook retained after the one-off Test against Zimbabwe and the unused Matthew Potts now overlooked altogether. Cook, who took one for 119 on debut, will be hoping for a second chance to impress with the new ball.
This may hinge on whether Woakes is up to speed, with the 36-year-old's start to the summer delayed by a bone stress reaction in his ankle. Having played one round of county cricket for Warwickshire a fortnight ago, the next fitness test comes with an outing for England Lions against India A starting on Friday. Tongue will similarly feature in this match, making the early release of the Test squad a surprise.
The same can be said for Overton's recall, three years after his solitary Test cap against New Zealand and now nursing a broken little finger. Although with Atkinson missing, and Woakes still to prove his readiness, the long-handle with which Overton plundered 97 on debut could shore up the lower order. Carse, back after a toe injury and having shone in Test cricket last winter, can also hold a bat.
More predictable was an instant return for Jacob Bethell, who missed the one-off Zimbabwe Test due to its clash with the Indian Premier League. With the 21-year-old all-rounder having shone during his maiden series in New Zealand last winter, the question now is whether he slots into the XI at the earliest opportunity.
England squad for first Test
Ben Stokes (c), Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wk), Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes
Schedule
1st Test: England v India, 20-24 June 2025, Headingley, Leeds
2nd Test: England v India, 2-6 July 2025, Edgbaston, Birmingham
3rd Test: England v India, 10-14 July 2025, Lord's, London
4th Test: England v India, 23-27 July 2025, Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester
5th Test: England v India, 31 July-4 August 2025, Kia Oval, London
If so it would represent something of a U-turn from Ben Stokes. Irked by debate around the No 3 position, and having watched Ollie Pope deliver a sparkling 171 at Trent Bridge in Bethell's absence, Stokes chuntered about a 'media agenda' in his post-match press conference and threw his weight behind his vice-captain.
Sign up to The Spin
Subscribe to our cricket newsletter for our writers' thoughts on the biggest stories and a review of the week's action
after newsletter promotion
More positive for Stokes in the aftermath of that game was his own return to bowling after hamstring surgery at the start of the year. As a result, an initial plan to turn out for the Lions has been dropped and Stokes, who tends to opt out of warm-up cricket on tour, will probably continue his preparations in training.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
36 minutes ago
- The Sun
Brutal Ange Postecoglou sacking leaves burning question for Daniel Levy: What is the point in Tottenham Hotspur?
MATE, oh mate, we'll miss you, mate. Even though you weren't our mate. And we knew that, especially if you called us "mate". 4 4 4 4 Ange Postecoglou, you were the last fair-dinkum footballing romantic inside the cynical world of Premier League football. You staked your reputation, you risked your job, on winning silverware for Tottenham. You told us you always won things in your second season in any job and we laughed at you and said, "Yes, mate, but this is Tottenham". And then you went and won something in your second season. You gambled and it paid off and yet they sacked you anyway. And what could be more cynical than that? You realised that winning the Europa League would mean far more to Spurs fans than finishing in the top half of the Premier League and you told us so. Just like you told us time and again that VAR is ruining the enjoyment of football. Just like you told us that those stats bores who try to suck the joy out of the game spend most of their time spouting nonsense. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS Ange Breaks Silence On Tottenham Sacking ANGE Postecoglou issued a statement just moments after being axed. It read: "When I reflect on my time as manager of Tottenham Hotspur, my overriding emotion is one of pride. "The opportunity to lead one of England's historic football clubs and bring back the glory it deserves will live with me for a lifetime. "Sharing that experience with all those who truly love this club and seeing the impact it had on them is something I will never forget. "That night in Bilbao was the culmination of two years of hard work, dedication and unwavering belief in a dream. "There were many challenges to overcome and plenty of noise that comes with trying to accomplish what many said was not possible. "We have also laid the foundations that means this club should not have to wait 17 more years for their next success. "I have enormous faith in this group of players and know there is much more potential and growth in them. I sincerely want to thank those who are the lifeblood of the club, the supporters. "I know there were some difficult times, but I always felt that they wanted me to succeed and that gave me all the motivation I needed to push on. "It's important to acknowledge the hard working people at Spurs who gave me encouragement on a daily basis. "And finally, I want to thank those who were with me every day for the last two years. "A fantastic group of young men who are now legends of this football club and the brilliant coaches who never once doubted we could do something special. 'We are forever connected. Audere est Facere.' You were right about all of those things and plenty more. You were chippy and sarcy and narky but you spoke more good, honest commonsense than any other manager in the Premier League has done for years. You spoke like a true lover of the game, a true fan, with all the heart-on-sleeve emotion and all the 'us against the world' spikiness that entails. You tried to play football the right way, the Spurs way, the glory, glory way, the 'To Dare Is To Do' way. And if it often looked naive and inflexible, then at least you never bored the pants off us. 'Are you not entertained?' you asked us and, invariably, we were. Even if Spurs invariably lost. Your policy of prioritising the Europa League over the Premier League cut to the heart of the essential question any Tottenham Hotspur manager should ask, namely: 'What is the point of Tottenham Hotspur?' For an entire generation, Spurs were the sixth richest club in England and since Newcastle's Geordie Arabia revolution, they are the seventh richest. As a result, Spurs are unlikely to win the Premier League any time soon. The peak of their realistic ambitions are to win knock-out competitions and to consistently entertain, to bring joy to those who pay to watch them. And if that wasn't the case very often last season - when Spurs lost 22 league matches and finished 17th - then at least it was always the intention. The scenes witnessed in Bilbao after the Europa League Final victory over Manchester United - and at the trophy parade a couple of days later - will be remembered by Spurs supporters for as long as they live. You were the last fair-dinkum footballing romantic inside the cynical world of Premier League football." Dave Kidd on Ange Postecgolou And that was down to you, Ange Postecoglou - a bloke who grew up on the other side of the world, where football is a minority sport. An outsider, consistently patronised and belittled throughout your career. A man who never tried to pretend that those attitudes didn't hurt you. And you defended your club. You hated the way we often laughed at it. You railed against long-held perceptions and 'agendas' and you stuck up for Spurs. You were loyal and you were proud and yet, ultimately that loyalty was never repaid. Because ultimately, no major football club, no big company, ever truly gives a stuff about its employees. We will miss you, mate. And if you ever wind up on our shores again, we will welcome you with open arms.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
My name's Ulrika Jonsson & I'm an alcoholic – I was on knees swigging a bottle at 11am then one day I made cry for help
MY name is Ulrika and I am an alcoholic. Not a drop of alcohol has passed my lips in just over a year. 7 7 For family and friends, it's been a cause for great celebration, it's viewed as a major feat. My eldest daughter even offered to take me out for a celebratory meal. For me, the run-up to this anniversary has been the cause of much trepidation and a sprinkling of fear. But, most of all, it's been a realisation. Because this is my life now. The day I surrendered and accepted I had a problem with alcohol, I knew I couldn't just give it up for a while. I knew I couldn't just cut back in the hope that I'd be cured, because alcoholism is a disease for which there is no cure. There is a solution, but there is no fix. I was trapped in a vicious cycle of hell. Even with my best friend calling me one Saturday morning to tell me to get help because I clearly had a problem, I refused despite the unbearable shame I felt. Alcoholics are selfish creatures. Yes, having a problem with alcohol meant I was an alcoholic. Even though I would NEVER have admitted it at the time. Then came June 5 last year. A hangover day much like any other, really. I sat on the sofa with my liver and brain pickled in equal measure, wrapped up in the blanket of shame, and something made me reach out for help. Ulrika Jonsson speaks out during Sober October about overcoming binge drinking I typed a message that read, quite simply: 'I can't do this any more' and sent it to a friend who was five years' sober. And that's how a life of sobriety saved my life and my sanity. There is every possibility I could have given up drinking by myself — my obstinance can be a virtue — but I wouldn't have been able to heal myself and reach the level of emotional sobriety I have today without the support of other ex-drunks and a programme to guide me. Saved my life It has saved my life in more ways than one. And, without sounding too evangelical about my journey, I've had a spiritual awakening and found an inner peace I never knew possible. I'm a different person to the Ulrika I was over a year ago. I've learnt more about myself in the past year than I did in my past 56 on this planet. Has it been easy? Nothing easily gained is ever worth having, I say. I've not had the temptation to pick up a drink, but alcohol is impossible to avoid — it's everywhere. What to do if you think are an alcoholic IF you're struggling with alcohol addiction, the most important thing is to recognise the problem and seek support - You don't have to face it alone. Seek Professional Help GP or Doctor – A medical professional can assess your situation and provide advice on treatment options. Therapists or Counsellors – Talking to an addiction specialist can help address underlying causes and develop coping strategies. Rehab or Detox Programmes – If physical dependence is severe, medically supervised detox may be necessary. Consider Support Groups At the beginning, I would look lovingly at a glass of red wine when I went out for a Sunday roast. But knowing that a drink would not make things better, and it would never just be the ONE, stopped me from picking it up. I found Christmas difficult initially and, disconcertingly, Easter was even harder, with family around me drunk and laughing at things that just weren't funny. I had a couple of dates earlier this year, when I knew the social lubricant of alcohol would have calmed my nerves and allowed me to hide beneath a veil of intoxication. But at least I was able to be my authentic self — to be more discerning and accept that these men were just not for me. Sobriety comes with a hefty dose of honesty, which can be as welcome as it can be unwelcome. So, this journey goes on. It's not a destination. It will only end with my dying breath. I've yet to learn the exact damage my drinking might have inflicted on those around me. 7 7 I think of my children and how worried about me they were. How I must have scared them. How torn they must have been between wanting to say something and just hoping I would come to my senses. I have amends to make. I have character defects to accept and improve. I have to remember to live in the moment and that whether I'm one year or ten years' sober, for me it will continue to be one day at a time. I still have alcohol in the house. Removing it would make no difference to me. I believe if I really wanted a drink, I would go to buy it. I have no objections at all to others drinking around me but, by Christ, people can be annoying when drunk! At least it's not me doing the crazy stuff, dancing on the tables or doing things I will quickly forget or regret. Nor do I wake up with punishing hangovers and terrifying anxiety or even a new haircut because the rum thought it was a great idea to give myself a new look the night before. Beautiful things happen in sobriety. Good things come your way. Beautiful people come into your life, too. People without judgment who fundamentally care for you and understand you. That has been my greatest reward. Don't get me wrong, life has continued to throw me curveballs. I'm just better equipped to deal with them as a sober person. Sobriety comes with a hefty dose of honesty, which can be as welcome as it can be unwelcome I have a history of alcoholics in my family on my mother's side, but I don't have decades of alcohol abuse behind me. I didn't become addicted after the first sip of Pimm's at the age of 14 when I first got drunk. My drinking history is quite unremarkable. It didn't result in me losing my job, my marriage, my children or even my driving licence. I didn't get arrested or end up in jail. I wasn't a vomiting mess that couldn't get her kids ready for school in the morning. I wasn't a violent drunk. Which is why it might be helpful for anyone else out there to note that alcoholics come in all shapes and sizes and many live among us in plain sight. But the few years running up to my decision to quit, I was clearly drinking for the wrong reasons and I had no control over my cravings. I was a binge-drinker who drank to black out. Heavy shame A perfect storm of life led me to self-medicate, to soothe away life's ills and sharp edges; to quell my crippling anxiety by drinking neat rum from the neck of the bottle while kneeling into the cupboard underneath the stairs. There is nothing quite as 'sobering' as admitting to dropping to your knees at 11am and sticking your lips around a bottle of 40 per cent alcohol; feeling it swiftly burn your throat and immediately extinguish your anxiety, fears and self-loathing. Drinking was 'my thing'. It was a personal and private activity I had all to myself. I foolishly believed it was harmless because it didn't affect anyone else, so it was nothing anyone could take away from me. And I loved it. It made me feel instantly better and helped me cope with life. It killed my feelings of being overwhelmed; it relaxed me and made me a much nicer person. I thought . . . See, the one thing I had established by the time my drinking got completely out of hand was that I simply wasn't cut out for life. 7 7 7 I just couldn't cope. Everyone else seemed on top of everything while I was constantly swimming against the tide. I was forever traipsing through fields of molasses; perpetually found myself on the battlefield of life utterly unarmed. I was just no good at it. While I made no specific plan to end my life, my hope was eventually that alcohol would destroy me. I was a solitary drinker. But what might have started out as fun very quickly, and without fail, ended in blackout. I couldn't just have the one drink. What weirdo does that? I wasn't seeking light inebriation. I wanted the full anaesthetic effect. My self-esteem and self-worth were so bad, I believed the drink would make me become someone else. Or better still, nothing at all. I had such crippling anxiety about the present and future, which was coupled with past ordeals, that I was desperate for my feelings just to STOP. Because I didn't initially drink every day, and because my life looked impeccable from the outside, I convinced myself there wasn't a problem. I was still in control. However, I know now that those close to me saw a different picture. They heard my slurred voice on the phone; saw my drunk eyes betray me; worried about my volatile and highly strung demeanour and mood swings. They grew tired of repeating things to me that my blackouts had erased. It took months to rid myself of the heavy shame that drinking brought. Now, I realise I was really ill — both physically and spiritually — and that makes me go a bit easier on myself. In short, I'm grateful to my alcoholism for bringing me to where I am today: a life of honesty and integrity; of clarity and calm and being the person I never believed I could be. My name is Ulrika and I'm an alcoholic. And I have chosen life.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
England football ace Millie Bright leaves fiancé & falls for married personal trainer ‘in a big way'
ENGLAND football ace Millie Bright has left her fiancé and fallen for a married personal trainer. The Lionesses defender, 31, pulled out of Euro 2025 this week — stating she was unable to 'give 100 per cent mentally or physically'. 4 4 We can reveal she has split from husband-to-be Levi Crew and grown close to a fitness instructor. It is understood he has now left his wife and is living at Chelsea captain Millie's luxury house. There is no suggestion either of them cheated on their partners. Pals said Millie — who won Euro 2022 and led England to the World Cup final in 2023 — met the trainer last year after starting to work out at a gym in Redhill, Surrey. Sources say she later struck up a friendship with the married dad, who we are not identifying. Earlier this year she split from Levi, and the trainer broke up with his wife 'out of the blue'. A source told The Sun: ' Millie's shock withdrawal from the England squad ahead of Euro 2025 left fans open-mouthed. 'She has always loved playing for her country, and spoke of her pride in doing so.' They went on: 'She has fallen for this guy in a big way, and that has come with some big sacrifices. "The fall-out has been enormous, but Millie has fallen hook, line and sinker for her ideal man.' Other sources close to Millie stressed her withdrawal was based purely on her need for an operation to fix a long-term injury. Millie and Levi shared a home in Surrey and their families were close. In December 2023, she announced their engagement on social media, flashing her diamond ring on holiday in Mauritius. She has referred to Levi as her 'king' who was with her 'through thick and thin'. She even has a tattoo of his eye on her arm which has been shown prominently in official squad photos. But fans noticed she had removed any mention of him from her social media accounts and deleted the engagement post. Millie has undergone minor knee surgery after a stellar season with Chelsea, winning the treble and finishing unbeaten domestically. She said pulling out of the upcoming Euros in Switzerland 'was not an easy decision', adding: 'I just don't feel 100 per cent mentally or physically in a position to go on and compete in a tournament.' She aimed to 'get myself back in tip-top condition and just happy again, I think, all round, just feeling like myself'. England's first game is against much-fancied France on July 5. Last night a spokesman for Millie declined to comment. 4
