England Squad for Third Test vs Pakistan: Joe Root's New Era Takes Shape
Published on September 2, 2026
Summary Overview: England named their squad for the third Test vs Pakistan at Edgbaston, with Joe Root captaining a new era and uncapped duo Sonny Baker and Emilio Gay called up.
Joe Root captain, post-Stokes England, Sonny Baker England, Emilio Gay call-up, Dan Lawrence recall, Edgbaston Test 2026
Who is captaining England?
Joe Root leads the side. This is the first squad of Root's second spell as England Test captain, marking the start of a new era after the Ben Stokes years.
What is the big-picture takeaway? England already lead the three-match series 2-0, so they cannot lose it. That freedom lets them hand chances to fresh players while still chasing a 3-0 clean sweep at Edgbaston.
The Story: England Turn the Page
England have named their squad for the third and final Test against Pakistan at Edgbaston, Birmingham, and it doubles as the opening chapter of a new era. For the first time in years, the name at the top of the team sheet is not Ben Stokes. It is Joe Root.
For readers new to the format: a Test match is cricket's longest and oldest version, played over five days, and this series is three matches long. England have already won the first two, so the series is theirs no matter what happens next. That result lets the selectors experiment a little.
The Root Era Starts Here
This is England's first Test squad of Joe Root's second captaincy tenure, and it offers the first real look at what the team will become in a post-Stokes world. Root previously captained England earlier in his career before handing the role to Stokes, so this is a familiar man returning to a familiar job.
Bigger changes are expected to follow. Some of the firmer, long-term calls are likely to wait until Stephen Fleming takes up his role as head coach over the winter. For now, this squad is a bridge between the old era and the new one.
The Settled Core
Much of the group is the reliable spine that carried England through the series. Harry Brook, Ollie Pope, Ben Duckett, and wicketkeeper Jamie Smith anchor the batting, while Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, and Josh Tongue lead the pace attack. Shoaib Bashir is the specialist spin option.
In simple terms, spin bowling turns the ball off the pitch to deceive batters, while pace (or seam) bowling relies on speed and movement through the air. A balanced squad wants both, and England have picked accordingly.
The Fresh Faces
The two names generating buzz are both uncapped, meaning neither has played a Test match yet.
Sonny Baker (Hampshire) is the eye-catcher, a genuinely quick fast bowler. He forced his way into the reckoning with a superb spell in The Hundred, taking nine wickets in seven games for the Manchester Originals, including a hat-trick, and has already made his England debut in one-day cricket. He gives the attack raw speed.
Emilio Gay (Durham) is the other new name, a left-handed top-order batter added as batting cover. He was one of the young players England first turned to earlier in the summer, and this call-up keeps him in the frame.
A Notable Recall
There is also a familiar face coming back in from the cold. Dan Lawrence (Surrey) has been recalled to England's Test squad for the first time in two years, and is expected to bat at No.6 as a batting all-rounder in the top six.
That role matters. With Stokes not in the side, England need someone who can both score runs and bowl a few overs to keep the balance right, and Lawrence has been picked to fill part of that gap.
A Shift in Bowling Philosophy
The inclusion of seamer Sam Cook (Essex) hints at a change in approach. Cook had been out of the Test squad since his debut against Zimbabwe, and his return points to a move away from the all-out pace strategy of the Stokes-McCullum era toward a more varied, control-based attack.
England now have a deeper pool of seam options to mix and match at Edgbaston, rather than simply picking the fastest bowlers available.
The Full England Squad
| Player | County | Role |
| Joe Root (c) | Yorkshire | Batter, captain |
| Jofra Archer | Sussex | Fast bowler |
| Gus Atkinson | Surrey | Fast bowler |
| Sonny Baker | Hampshire | Fast bowler (uncapped) |
| Shoaib Bashir | Derbyshire | Off-spinner |
| Harry Brook | Yorkshire | Batter |
| Sam Cook | Essex | Seam bowler |
| Jordan Cox | Essex | Batter |
| Ben Duckett | Nottinghamshire | Opening batter |
| Emilio Gay | Durham | Batter (uncapped) |
| Dan Lawrence | Surrey | Batting all-rounder |
| Ollie Pope | Surrey | Batter |
| Ollie Robinson | Sussex | Seam bowler |
| Jamie Smith | Surrey | Wicketkeeper-batter |
| Josh Tongue | Nottinghamshire | Fast bowler |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ben Stokes in the squad?
No. Joe Root captains the side as England move into a new era, with head coach Stephen Fleming set to take charge over the winter.
Which players are uncapped in this squad?
Sonny Baker and Emilio Gay are both yet to play a Test and could make their debuts at Edgbaston.
Why was Dan Lawrence recalled?
Lawrence returns after two years to add a batting all-rounder to the top six, helping balance the side in the absence of Stokes.
Where and when is the third Test?
The match is at Edgbaston in Birmingham, starting September 9.
Can England complete a series sweep?
Yes. England already lead 2-0, so a win at Edgbaston would seal a 3-0 whitewash.
Related Guides and Series Coverage
📋 England vs Pakistan 2026 Complete Guide
📋 England vs Pakistan 2026 Test Series Schedule