England announced its playing XI on Wednesday for the first Test against India, starting in Leeds on Friday.

English vice-captain Ollie Pope was picked for the No. 3 spot, despite calls for bringing Jacob Bethell into the lineup.

Bethell had impressed for England in his debut series against New Zealand when he scored three half centuries, including a knock of 96, when batting at number three.

But vice-captain Pope, who played as a middle-order batter in that series, is set to be promoted to number three after his knock of 171 in the one-off Test against Zimbabwe. Bethell had missed that match as he was playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Indian Premier League.

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Shoaib Bashir is the lone spinner in the English team. England’s seam attack will be helmed by the experienced Chris Woakes, who returns to the team for the first time since December. He will be backed by Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue and skipper Ben Stokes.