Analysis by BBC chief cricket writer Stephan Shemilt
There has been a buzz about Josh Hull ever since he made his Leicestershire debut last summer.
With height, lively pace and the ability to swing the ball, he is every inch a fast bowler, as if the cricketing gods have built a paceman from scratch.
If England are building an attack to give them as many options as possible, then a left-armer is something they are lacking. Hull’s first-class average of 58 is no indicator of a bowler that has been tearing up the County Championship, yet England have once again picked on attributes and potential, rather than domestic record.
For that reason, Essex’s Sam Cook can feel unfortunate. He was name-checked by managing director Rob Key when James Anderson retired. Cook’s first-class numbers are staggering, but he is not a like-for-like replacement for Wood, who is likely to be fit for the Pakistan tour in October.
If Hull plays, he will become England’s third-youngest seamer in Test cricket, behind Ben Hollioake and Sam Curran. England will not make change for change’s sake, but with two more Tests in two weeks and Chris Woakes struggling on Saturday, there is every chance.
