- Brendon McCullum stressed the 35-year-old needs to prove himself abroad
- The head coach has called up the uncapped Brydon Carse and Jordan Cox
- Jack Leach returns to the team for the first time since January after surgery
Chris Woakes has been given the chance to revive his Test cricket reputation abroad after being named in England’s 17-player squad for a tour of Pakistan.
England manager Brendon McCullum recently said the 35-year-old Woakes must prove himself in one or both of the upcoming series in Pakistan and New Zealand to be considered for next year’s Ashes.
The difference between the Warwickshire veteran’s results on home soil and abroad is stark: he has 137 Test wickets at an average of 21.59 runs apiece in the Netherlands and 36 at an average of 51.88 runs elsewhere.
Ben Stokes returns as captain after a hamstring injury, Zak Crawley is also back after finger surgery and Jack Leach and Rehan Ahmed have been recalled to support No.1 spinner Shoaib Bashir.
Brydon Carse has been selected to provide extra speed after Durham team-mate Mark Wood is sidelined until 2025 with an elbow injury. Essex player Jordan Cox is the other player not yet selected.
Chris Woakes has been included in Brendon McCullum’s 17-man Test squad for the match against Pakistan
Jack Leach will be looking to make his first international Test appearance since January after undergoing knee surgery earlier this year
Gus Atkinson and Josh Hull, who made their international debuts against Sri Lanka at the Kia Oval last week, are both out with thigh problems.
England secured a historic 3-0 victory on their previous Test tour of Pakistan two years ago, but are still awaiting confirmation of venues for this return due to renovation work at the country’s major stadiums.