England announce playing XI for third Test against Sri Lanka

England has announced their playing XI for the third Test against Sri Lanka, starting on Friday, September 6, at the Kia Oval, London. 

Leading the series 2-0, England have made one significant change: pacer Josh Hull will replace Matthew Potts for this final Test.

Hull, standing 6'7", began his career with Leicestershire in 2022 and has since played 10 first-class matches, 9 List A games, and 21 T20s, claiming 16, 17, and 24 wickets respectively. He has also featured in the Vitality Blast and briefly for Manchester Originals in The Hundred 2024. 

Though not part of the initial 15-member squads, Hull earned his place for this series finale after a standout performance during the England Lions' tour match against Sri Lanka, where he took five wickets, including those of Angelo Mathews, captain Dhananjaya de Silva, and Dinesh Chandimal, with match figures of 20.1-1-74-5.

Hull’s left-arm angle and high-arm release are expected to bring a fresh perspective to England's bowling attack as they pursue a series whitewash. England has already won the first two Tests by five wickets and 190 runs, and they are eager to secure a clean sweep.

England Playing XI: Dan Lawrence, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope (c), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Olly Stone, Josh Hull, Shoaib Bashir