Josh Hull marks the one change to England's Test side to face Sri Lanka in the final match of the series; watch third Test between England and Sri Lanka at The Oval live on Sky Sports Cricket from 10am on Friday September 6
Wednesday 4 September 2024 17:40, UK
Josh Hull will make his England debut in the third Test against Sri Lanka starting on Friday at The Oval, live on Sky Sports.
The 20-year-old Leicestershire seamer replaces Matt Potts as an option for England as they look to complete a 3-0 clean sweep in the series.
Hull was called into the squad ahead of the second Test against Sri Lanka after Mark Wood was injured in the first Test at Emirates Old Trafford, and now gets his chance in the final Test of the summer.
Hull, who made his first-class debut last year, is the only change to Ollie Pope's side from Lord's, with Olly Stone keeping his place after playing instead of Wood in the second Test.
Sky Sports Cricket's Nasser Hussain said he believes Hull's call-up to the squad is a sign of what the current red-ball regime care about: pace.
"It is very much this present regime, there is a disconnect from County Cricket stats and what they want. The only stat they seem interested in is pace, and potential pace in Hull's case. He could get quicker," he said.
"I am rushing to see wickets from Hull and he looks quick enough, he swings it, all I've seen is stumps flying everywhere in white-ball cricket.
"What they have done well is everyone they have selected has come in and done well. I'm hoping Josh Hull continues that."
Ahead of the final Test vs Sri Lanka, stand-in captain Pope explained that Hull has a "massive ceiling" that will show when he gets his opportunity this week.
"He has obviously got a massive ceiling and he is pretty massive himself as well, which is pretty handy as a bowler," Pope said.
"When you are 6ft 7in, you can get it down pushing up to the 90mph mark. And with the left-arm swing, there is a lot to like about it.
"I think it is a real exciting week for him. The last match of the series.
"We are 2-0 up but he is obviously going to still have those nerves coming in. We know what he can do moving forward.
"It is a great week for him to come in, learn a little bit, and show off exactly what he can do."
1. Dan Lawrence
2. Ben Duckett
3. Ollie Pope (captain)
4. Joe Root
5. Harry Brook (vice-captain)
6. Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper)
7. Chris Woakes
8. Gus Atkinson
9. Olly Stone
10. Josh Hull
11. Shoaib Bashir
Hull's former coach Dean Headley on the youngster and his journey into the England set-up...
"He's 6'7", size 15 feet, so he finds it hard to get bowling boots. He's strong - like farmer-stock strong - very coachable and he's got a massive appetite to grow, and a massive appetite full stop - he eats like no tomorrow. I think he's still growing, to be honest.
"He's quiet. I think he's very confident in himself, but quietly. It's quite an amazing story really because he wasn't really playing age-group cricket until U18.
"We got him a move just before Christmas to Leicester, didn't feel it was right to put him in the academy straight away, so waited until after Christmas, he got put in the academy, and then he signed his professional contract in September.
"I mean, he was playing schoolboy cricket, then some academy, and 18 months later he's in all three England squads."
Watch the third and final Test of the series between England and Sri Lanka at The Oval, live on Sky Sports Cricket from 10am on Friday September 6 (first ball, 11am).
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