England’s squad for 1st India Test in full as Bethell piles pressure on Pope ...Middle East

There are also places in the 14-man squad for Jamie Overton, who played his only Test in June 2022, and Chris Woakes, who is back for the first time since last winter’s tour of New Zealand following an ankle injury.

England look set to retain faith in Pope… for now (Photo: Getty)

Bethell missed last month’s one-off Test against Zimbabwe to play in the Indian Premier League, but his stunning start to life in Test cricket in New Zealand, where he hit three half-centuries from the No 3 position in as many matches, meant he inadvertently became the main talking point before England’s opening match of the summer at Trent Bridge.

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But it did not stop speculation about Pope’s place at No 3, even after England’s vice-captain scored 171 against Zimbabwe.

Now his inclusion in this squad to face India, even if it’s only as a reserve batter, will ensure he remains the centre of attention ahead of the start of the five-match series.

The presence of Bethell, though, is a reminder that he is likely to be dropped if he does not score plenty of runs.

England Test squad for 1st India Test

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 (wicketkeeper) Josh Tongue Chris Woakes

England vs India 1st Test takes place 20-24 June at Headingley

What are the other big talking points?

Overton broke a finger in the recent one-day series against West Indies (Photo: Getty)

Woakes and Josh Tongue are also included, with both seamers set to be put through their paces during the England Lions’ four-day match against India A at Northampton starting on Friday.

Durham’s Brydon Carse is also back after recovering from the toe injury sustained during the winter after a positive return to international cricket during the ODI series against the West Indies.

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