England announce their playing XI for the second Test against South Africa, Ollie Robinson returns

After a humiliating innings defeat in the first Test match, a spirited England team will be seeking redemption when they face South Africa in the second game that gets underway at Old Trafford, Manchester, on Thursday, August 25. Meanwhile, just a day before the contest, the hosts have finalized their playing XI. The Three Lions have made only one change on their side.

Almost all the players who were a part of the series opener have featured in the playing XI for England, and the only change they have made is in their bowling department as tall pacer Ollie Robinson comes in for Matthew Potts. The pace attack will be spearheaded by the seasoned duo of James Anderson and Stuart Broad. Jack Leach will be taking care of the spin department.

As far as the batting department is concerned, Alex Lees and Zak Crawley would be expected to provide good starts, and the top-ranked Test batter Joe Root who had a forgettable outing in the last game would be hoping to roar back to form. Meanwhile, Jonny Bairstow and skipper Ben Stokes would be expected to take up the additional responsibility in the middle order.

South Africa look to seal the series

After showing a fearless intent in the first Test match, the Dean Elgar-led side would now be eyeing to seal the series by coming out on top in the Manchester game. With a mammoth victory by an innings and 12 runs, South Africa ended the ‘Bazball’ dominance, which has been grabbing headlines in the last couple of months.

Prior to that contest, the Three Lions had won all of their last four home Test matches ever since Ben Stokes and red-ball coach Brendon McCullum too over. The Proteas, who occupy the top spot in the ICC WTC Rankings, would now be looking to stay at the number one position with a clinical performance in the second Test.

Here’s England’s Playing XI for the second Test against South Africa:

Alex Lees, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes (c), Ben Foakes (wk), Ollie Robinson, Jack Leach, Stuart Broad, James Anderson.