Two players released from England’s Test squad against Sri Lanka

England have released uncapped batter Jordan Cox and fast bowler Olly Stone from their Test squad against Sri Lanka on August 21. The duo, who were called up as injury replacements, didn’t make it into the playing XI for the first Test in Manchester.

Cox was brought in to replace Zak Crawley, who suffered a finger injury during the West Indies series, while Stone came in for Dillon Pennington, who was ruled out with a hamstring injury. Despite being part of the squad, neither Cox nor Stone featured in the starting lineup for the series opener.

With both players not involved in the Test match, the England team decided to release them so they could participate in their respective County Championship Division 1 matches. Cox will return to Essex to play against Hampshire on August 22, and Stone will join Nottinghamshire for their game against Durham, starting on the same day.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed the decision in a statement: "England Men's Test squad have released Jordan Cox and Olly Stone to play in the next round of the Vitality County Championship Division One starting tomorrow. They will leave Emirates Old Trafford later this morning. Cox will play for Essex in their match against Hampshire at the Utilita Bowl, Southampton and Stone will travel to Seat Unique, Riverside for Nottighamshire's visit to Durham."

In the absence of Crawley, Dan Lawrence has been promoted to open the batting, while Matt Potts has been included in the team to bolster the seam attack, replacing the injured skipper Ben Stokes.