England have dropped Alex Lees for the Pakistan series (Picture: Getty)
England have dropped opening batter Alex Lees for the three-match Test series against Pakistan in December.
Durham opener Lees has played in England’s last 10 Tests but was not handed a central contract earlier this week.
The 29-year-old averages 24 in Test cricket, having passed fifty just twice in 19 innings. He made his career-best 67 against New Zealand last summer.
While Lees will not travel to Pakistan, Liam Livingstone, Will Jacks and Keaton Jennings have also been included in England’s latest Test squad.
Lancashire’s Livingstone is a white-ball regular for England but is yet to play a Test, like Surrey’s Will Jacks.
Jennings, meanwhile, made the last of his 17 Test appearances in 2019 and is recalled following a brilliant summer in which he averaged more than 70 in the County Championship.
England could decide to open Jennings alongside Zak Crawley, although Ben Duckett is another option. The Nottinghamshire star was called up by England for the final Test against South Africa in September but did not play.
England Test squad
Ben Stokes, James Anderson, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ben Foakes, Will Jacks, Keaton Jennings, Jack Leach, Liam Livingstone, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Mark Wood
Elsewhere, England have confirmed Stuart Broad will miss the Pakistan tour, with the birth of his first child due in November, while Mark Wood is in line to play his first Test since March.
Managing director of England men’s cricket Rob Key said: ‘We are looking forward to touring Pakistan as a Test team for the first time since 2005. It will be a historic tour and a compelling series against a good side.
‘The selectors have picked a squad for the conditions we can expect in Pakistan. There is a strong blend of youth and experience and players who will adapt well to the types of pitches we are likely to get across the three-match series.
‘I wish the players every success, especially those new to the squad and those returning after a period of time away.’
England’s first Test series in Pakistan since 2005 begins on December 1 in Rawalpindi.
The side have flourished under new captain Ben Stokes and new coach Brendon McCullum, winning six of their seven Tests over the summer.
Before England’s Test team prepare to face Pakistan, the white-ball side will bid to win the T20 World Cup. The tournament, hosted by Australia, starts on Sunday.
MORE : Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton predict T20 World Cup winner
MORE : Jofra Archer retains England central contract but three players miss out
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‘It will be a historic tour and a compelling series.’