Josh Hull, a towering 6ft 7in left-arm seamer, is set to make his highly anticipated England debut in the third Test against Sri Lanka at The Oval, commencing on Friday. The Leicestershire pacer replaces Matthew Potts in the only change to the side that secured an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series with a dominant 190-run victory at Lord’s.
Hull’s selection is a testament to his exceptional physical attributes and promising performances at the domestic level. Despite making only nine County Championship appearances, his ability to generate pace and swing with his left-arm angle has caught the attention of England’s management. He impressed on his England Lions debut last month, claiming match figures of 5 for 74.
Ollie Pope, England’s stand-in captain in the absence of Ben Stokes, hailed Hull’s potential, describing him as having “a massive ceiling.” Pope highlighted Hull’s height and ability to reach speeds of up to 90mph, combined with his left-arm angle, as key attributes that make him an exciting prospect.
Hull’s inclusion adds a unique dimension to England’s bowling attack. His height allows him to extract extra bounce, making it difficult for batters to drive the ball. Additionally, his left-arm angle provides a different angle of attack, forcing batters to adjust their approach.
Hull’s debut marks a significant moment for England, as he becomes the first left-arm seamer to represent the Three Lions in a Test since Sam Curran in 2021. He is only the second left-arm seamer to play a Test for England since Ryan Sidebottom’s last appearance in early 2010.
