England Announce 100-Ball Cricket Schedule, Dillon Pennington Out with Hamstring Injury
In a significant development, England have announced their squad for the upcoming three-match Test series against Sri Lanka, with several key changes. Zak Crawley has been ruled out due to a fractured finger, while Dillon Pennington will miss the series after sustaining a hamstring injury during his stint with the Northern Superchargers in the 100-ball cricket competition.
Dan Lawrence is set to open the batting in Crawley’s absence, marking a significant shift in his role. The 23-year-old, who has previously batted across positions from No. 3 to No. 7, will now be tasked with leading the charge at the top of the order.
Joining the squad as a spare batter is the uncapped Jordan Cox, who has enjoyed an impressive season with Essex, scoring three Championship centuries and amassing 763 runs at an average of 69.36. Cox’s call-up underscores England’s focus on players’ attributes rather than solely their county-level performances.
In Pennington’s place, Olly Stone has been drafted into the squad. The fast bowler, who last played a Test for England in June 2021, will be looking to make the most of this opportunity as he aims to secure a spot in the team for the upcoming tour to Pakistan in October.
The 100-ball cricket live schedule has been announced, with the first Test against Sri Lanka set to commence on August 21 at Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester, followed by matches at Lord’s and The Oval. The absence of Crawley and Pennington will undoubtedly pose challenges for England, but the selectors have opted for a balanced approach, promoting a middle-order batter to the opening slot and bringing in a pacy bowling option to replace the injured Pennington.
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