England have handed a remarkable Test debut to Josh Hull, the 20-year-old Leicestershire left-arm quick who stands at six-foot seven.
Hull will make his Test debut in the third and final Test against Sri Lanka at the Kia Oval, despite having taken just 16 first-class wickets at an average of 63 in 10 matches.
Hull replaces Matthew Potts, who is fit, in an England XI showing just one change. England lead the series 2-0 after comfortable victories at Old Trafford and Lord’s and are hunting their first clean sweep in a home summer in 20 years.
Hull will become the ninth-youngest man to play Test cricket for England at 20 years and 16 days, and the youngest specialist seamer. He takes his place in an England attack that has undergone a major regeneration this summer, following the retirements of James Anderson and Stuart Broad, the dropping of Ollie Robinson and, midway through, an injury to Mark Wood.
Chris Woakes and Gus Atkinson are again expected to take the new ball, with Hull and Olly Stone to follow. England also hope that Hull’s left-arm angle will create some rough for Shoaib Bashir, their 20-year-old off-spinner who was called up on a similar hunch.
Ollie Pope, who is standing in as captain with Ben Stokes injured, said he hoped Hull’s height and angle would give Sri Lanka’s batsmen “something different to think about”.
“He’s obviously got a massive ceiling and he’s pretty massive himself as well, which is pretty handy as a bowler,” said Pope. “When you’re six-foot seven, you can get it down, pushing up to the 85mph-90mph mark, with a bit of swing and the left-arm angle, there’s a lot to like about it. It’s a real exciting week for him.
