England have announced their playing XI for the first Test against Sri Lanka, beginning on Wednesday, August 21, at Old Trafford, Manchester. With Ben Stokes and Zak Crawley sidelined due to injury, Dan Lawrence and Matthew Potts have been called up. Stokes, suffering from a left hamstring tear sustained during The Hundred, will miss the remainder of the English summer, including this two-match series against Sri Lanka. Crawley is out with a finger injury incurred during the West Indies series.

Wicketkeeper-batter Ollie Pope will captain the side in Stokes’ absence, with Harry Brook serving as vice-captain. Potts, returning to the side for the first time since June 2023, will add pace to the attack, while Lawrence is set to open the batting in Crawley's place. The Test match will run from August 21 to August 25.