England vs Sri Lanka: Who is England's debutant Josh Hull?

Pacer Josh Hull is poised to make his debut for England in the third Test against Sri Lanka at The Oval. The 20-year-old has been called up to replace Mark Wood, who is sidelined with a thigh injury. Hull’s inclusion comes as a result of his impressive performances in domestic cricket, despite his limited first-class experience. He has played 10 first-class games, capturing 16 wickets at an average of 62.75. His debut will see him take the place of Matthew Potts, who managed only two wickets in the second Test at Lord’s. As Hull prepares for his debut, stand-in captain Ollie Pope expressed his enthusiasm and support for the young pacer. Pope humorously noted Hull’s imposing height of 6'7'', referring to it as a ‘massive ceiling’ and highlighting the physical attributes that could be advantageous for the team.

He emphasized that Hull brings a lot of promise and potential to the squad. Pope anticipates an exciting week ahead in London for Hull and is confident that once the debutant settles in, he will demonstrate his capabilities effectively. The England captain’s comments reflect the optimism surrounding Hull’s potential impact in the match and the opportunities it presents for the young bowler’s career.

“He has obviously got a massive ceiling, and he is pretty massive himself as well, which is pretty handy as a bowler. When you are 6ft 7in, you can get it down pushing up to the 90mph mark. And with the left-arm swing, there is a lot to like about it,” England captain Ollie Pope said at the pre-match press conference. 

“I think it is a real exciting week for him. The last match of the series. We are 2-0 up, but he is obviously going to still have those nerves coming in. We know what he can do moving forward. It is a great week for him to come in, learn a little bit, and show off exactly what he can do,” he added.

England is currently leading their series against Sri Lanka 2-0 and is looking forward to completing a clean sweep in the third Test at The Oval. Despite this strong position, there are areas of concern that the team hopes to address before the final match. One significant issue is the form of stand-in captain Ollie Pope, who has struggled in recent games. His performance has been a point of criticism, with former cricketer Michael Vaughan highlighting Pope’s struggles as a major concern.

Addressing the issue himself, Pope acknowledged the pressure and his own underwhelming form earlier in the week. He expressed optimism about improving his performance, particularly as The Oval is his home ground. Pope believes that playing at a venue where he is familiar and comfortable could help him regain his form and contribute significantly to the team's success. As the captain, his role is crucial, and his performance will be closely watched as England seeks to maintain their momentum and secure a series whitewash. The upcoming Test presents Pope with a valuable opportunity to silence critics and solidify his place in the team, demonstrating his ability to lead and perform under pressure.