Ollie Robinson replaces Matthew Potts as England announce playing XI for 2nd Test against South Africa

England Cricket Team, on Wednesday (August 24th), announced the playing 11 for the second match of the three-match Test series against South Africa at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester. Almost all the players who featured in the series opener are part of the playing XI for England, and the only change has been in the bowling department as tall pacer Ollie Robinson comes in for Matthew Potts.

Robinson last played for England in the final Ashes Test in Hobart earlier this year. The fast-bowler was the team's leading wicket-taker over the course of that summer with 28 wickets at an average of 19.60.

England's ability to bounce back will be put to test at Old Trafford as they look to draw level in the three-match Test series against the visitors, South Africa. The Three Lions suffered a humiliating innings defeat in the first Test match. In both the innings, the England side were bundled out for a score of less than 200 and the Stokes-led side lost the match in just three days.

On the batting front, the onus will be on Alex Lees and Zak Crawley to provide solid starts. England's ace Test batter Joe Root had a terrible outing in the last match and he will be needing to do the heavy lifting in the second match. With Root, the dashing duo of Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes would be expected to shepherd the team to a good score.

As far as bowling is concerned, the veteran pair of James Anderson and Stuart Board will be banked upon to set the tone with the ball. Besides, Jack Leach will be taking care of the spin department.

The opposition South Africa would look to continue their winning momentum and take an invincible series lead in the series. Eyes will be on the Proteas' four-pronged pace attack that dismantled the England line-up on the previous occasion. South Africa's batting was also quite consistent in the last match and the batters would look to put on another valiant show this time around.

South Africa are currently placed at the top of the World Test Championship table and another win will put them closer to a WTC final berth.

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