Two matches, in two formats, over two days: How England's ODI and Test XIs could line up
They are set to face Ireland in the final match of a three ODI series on August 4, before starting their Test series against Pakistan the next day
ENGLAND ODI SIDE TO FACE IRELAND: 1) Jason Roy. Given a chance in Tests in last year’s Ashes, but nowhere near the blockbusting influence he has in limited-overs. Getty Images
2) Jonny Bairstow. Keen to regain his Test spot, which may happen, but he has become an England great in coloured clothing. Getty Images
3) Tom Banton. The coming star of English cricket, he has three ODIs and three T20Is to his name so far. Getty Images
4) Eoin Morgan. No chance of a crossover here. The World Cup-winning captain’s last Test was eight years ago. Getty Images
5) Jos Buttler. The man in possession of the gloves in Tests, but he is arguably England’s greatest ever white-ball cricketer. PA Wire
6) Moeen Ali. Slipped down the Test pecking order behind Dom Bess and Jack Leach, but a much valued limited-overs player. Getty Images
7) Sam Curran. He has played more Tests (17) than ODIs (4) but would balance this side out better in these circumstances. PA
8) Chris Woakes. England’s go-to death bowler in limited-overs games has yet to fully nail down his Test spot. Getty Images
9) Adil Rashid. A mainstay of the ODI side – he has now played 100 games – while his Test foray was relatively limited. Getty Images
10) Saqib Mahmood. The 23-year-old fast bowler will hope to improve on the start he made in international cricket last winter. Getty Images
11) Mark Wood. It would mean splitting up his thrilling fast-bowling partnership with Jofra Archer, but Wood is best suited to ODIs. AP Photo
The updated schedule for the UK summer of cricket has confirmed England will play in one-day internationals and Test on successive days.
They are set to face Ireland in the final match of a three ODI series on Tuesday, August 4, before starting their Test series against Pakistan on the Wednesday.
It is possible some players could feature in each. Such things have happened fairly regularly in English domestic cricket in the past.
But it is highly unlikely, especially considering the ODI is a day-night game in Southampton, while the Test starts at 11am the following morning in Manchester, 370 kms away.
Fortunately for England, they are well-blessed with a big enough pool of players to make divvying up between two formats possible.
Click through the photo gallery above to see how the ODI team could line up, while below is a suggested XI for the Test side.
To move on to the next slide, click on the arrows, or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.
ENGLAND TEST SIDE TO FACE PAKISTAN: 1) Dominic Sibley. Lost 12 kgs during lockdown in a bid to better himself. And he was already in credit after a fine tour to South Africa. Getty Images
2) Rory Burns. Back in the fold following an injury sustained playing football in training. A canny Test run-gatherer. Getty Images
3) Zak Crawley. Made a promising start to his Test career last winter, and could nudge Joe Denly out of the XI with a strong showing v West Indies. PA
4) Joe Root. Passing on the captain’s armband to Ben Stokes in readiness of the birth of his second child. But that will only be temporary. Getty Images
5) Ollie Pope. Showed why many deem him the most talented England batsman of the coming generation with a fine tour of South Africa. AP
6) Ben Stokes. Given his appetite for achievement, he will probably want to play the ODI v Ireland, then bolt to Manchester for the Test. Getty Images
7) Ben Foakes. Unlucky not to be a permanent feature of the England side. The wicketkeeper was man of the match in both is Test and ODI debuts. Getty Images
8) Dom Bess. Leapfrogged Moeen Ali and Jack Leach to become England’s first-choice spinner in the long format. PA Wire
9) Jofra Archer. Just behind Stokes as the one player who the ODI side would miss the most, but the Test side need him. Getty Images
10) Stuart Broad. Has not played a limited-overs game for England in four years, but he has remarkable staying player in Tests. PA
11) James Anderson. England’s greatest ever cricketer? Sir Alastair Cook suggested as much. Intriguing to see how the lockdown layoff has affected him. PA