Josh Hull replaces Matthew Potts at The Oval

Josh Hull, the young 6ft 7in left-arm seamer, is set to make his England Test debut in the upcoming match against Sri Lanka at The Oval. At just 20 years old, Hull replaces Matthew Potts, marking the only change in an England squad that has already secured a 2-0 lead in the series following a decisive victory at Lord's.

Hull’s selection follows his impressive performances in the County Championship, where he took 11 wickets in nine appearances for Leicestershire, and his standout debut for the England Lions, where he recorded match figures of 5 for 74. His unique physical attributes—height and the ability to generate swing—have attracted the attention of England’s selectors, as highlighted by Ollie Pope, who noted Hull's potential to add a "point of difference" to the bowling attack.

Pope emphasised Hull's combination of height and bowling speed, which can create more bounce, thereby challenging batsmen with edges. This selection continues a trend of experimenting with younger players who may not yet have extensive first-class experience but possess the talent and skill to compete at the highest level.

With the addition of Hull, who becomes the first left-arm seamer for England since Sam Curran in 2021, the team aims to enhance its bowling strategy. Dimuth Karunaratne, the Sri Lankan opener, acknowledged Hull’s capabilities and expressed confidence in his own team’s ability to adapt to the challenge he presents.

Overall, Hull's debut is anticipated to bring a fresh dynamic to England's attack against Sri Lanka as they look to clinch a 3-0 series whitewash. The England XI for the match includes key players such as Ollie Pope, Joe Root, and newcomer Josh Hull, alongside other promising talents like Gus Atkinson and Shoaib Bashir.