Brydon Carse and Matthew Fisher miss out as England name squad for third Pakistan Test

England have named a 15-strong squad for the third and final Rothesay Test against Pakistan, beginning at Edgbaston on September 9.

Pace bowlers Brydon Carse and Matthew Fisher are not included in the only changes from the first two Tests, with 23-year-old Sonny Baker once again providing cover in the pace department.

Joe Root’s side head to the West Midlands with an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series, following a comprehensive victory by 194 runs at Lord’s last time out.

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Carse exile continues, Fisher released

Brydon Carse has been omitted from the squad after being dropped for the second Test, with investigation by Derbyshire police into the alleged assault incident still ongoing.

The 31-year-old Durham seamer was replaced by Hampshire quick Sonny Baker, who has retained his place in the squad.

Surrey bowler Matthew Fisher is the only other absentee from an otherwise unchanged squad as the hosts go in search of completing a series clean sweep.

England are expected to name the same batting lineup, with Ollie Pope in reserve and Jacob Bethell still unavailable through injury.

All-rounder Sam Curran had been earmarked for a Test comeback after five years but groin surgery put an end to his home summer.

Following a busy schedule, and with a white-ball series against Sri Lanka to follow, England may consider resting the pace trio of Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson and Josh Tongue.

Baker and Essex’s Sam Cook – both of whom have played just one Test match – could come into contention, as well as Derbyshire spinner Shoaib Bashir who has yet to play in the series as a result of England’s preference for an all-seam attack.

Pakistan shake-up

Meanwhile, the tourists remarkably announced a raft of changes in the aftermath of defeat at Lord’s which included a change of head coach and seven players axed.

Five of those – Muhammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman and Khurram Shahzad – have featured during the series, while Aamir Jamal and Muhammad Awais Jafar have been sent home without playing.

Left-handed batter Saim Ayub is the most recognised of those called-up, making eight Test appearances between 2024-2025, along with a quartet of uncapped players.

Head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul have both departed their roles, replaced by the white-ball head coach Mike Hesson and bowling coach Ashley Noffke.

Pakistan will arrive in Birmingham aiming to avoid a second successive 3-0 series whitewash in England.

England squad

England squad for third Test against Pakistan: J Root (captain), J Archer, G Atkinson, S Baker, S Bashir, H Brook, S Cook, J Cox, B Duckett, E Gay, D Lawrence, O Pope, O Robinson, J Smith, J Tongue.

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