Leicestershire left-arm bowler named as alternative, with Stone likely to take place in team
Following confirmation that Mark Wood does not perform a second Test against Sri Lanka due to a thigh injury, Josh Hull, a left-arm seamer from Leicestershire, has been named in England's squad for the last two Tests.
Hull, 20, is one of the most exciting young people on the state loop, although his first-class history is humble with 16 innings at 62.75. He impressed on his England Lions album by taking five wickets in two innings at New Road to support impose a seven-wicket beat on Sri Lanka's tourists in their single warm-up game last year. He played a vital role in Leicestershire's triumph in the Metro Bank One-Day Club next season.
He has just taken two innings in three Tournament activities this season, but showcased an ability to drive the speed weapons up towards 90mph when making his debut in the Hundred for Manchester Originals next quarter.
" It was about half nine last night when I got the call from Brendon McCullum", Hull told BBC Radio Leicester. " It's a very special moment".
" It's come around pretty quickly, I did n't think it would happen this fast, but I am really excited to be joining them"
" I was happy with how I performed]for England Lions] but I never thought it would lead to a call this early. They've got Olly Stone there as the first replacement, so it will be a great opportunity to join up and be part of that environment".
Hull is currently in Bristol, taking part in Leicestershire's Championship fixture with Gloucestershire, and is expected to join up with England's squad in London on Monday ahead of the second Test at Lord's, which begins on Thursday. The final Test of the summer, at the Kia Oval, takes place from September 6-10.
Hull's inclusion is the only change to England's 13-man squad for the remaining two Tests, with Nottinghamshire's Olly Stone likely to step into Wood's role for what would be his fourth Test appearance, and his first since New Zealand at Edgbaston in June 2021. Stone has also been playing Championship cricket for Nottinghamshire this week, after being released from the England squad on the opening day of the first Test, alongside the reserve batter, Essex's Jordan Cox.
Wood's status had been a little uncertain since he pulled up on Friday evening during Sri Lanka's second innings halfway through his 11th over. He was sent for a scan midway through the match on Saturday morning, where it was determined that he had a muscle strain in his right thigh.
Though unfortunate in the short term, the diagnosis of a strain, rather than a tear, will be a relief for Wood and England, given the team's busy winter schedule which includes three-Test tours of Pakistan and New Zealand in the lead-up to Christmas.
England had to fight for victory in the first Test despite his absence, with Kamindu Mendis and Dinesh Chandimal batting through the fourth day's morning session to post a taxing target of 205, which was eventually beaten down by an unbeaten 62 from Joe Root.
England squad for final two Tests: Ollie Pope ( capt ), Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Jordan Cox, Ben Duckett, Josh Hull, Dan Lawrence, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wk ), Olly Stone, Chris Woakes
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