England have been dealt a major blow with Jacob Bethell ruled out of the Test series against Pakistan – with Surrey batters Ollie Pope and Dan Lawrence recalled to the squad.

Bethell suffered a knee injury in the final ODI against India and is set to miss all three Tests in a major set-back for the young left-hander.

Jordan Cox, who made his Test debut against New Zealand earlier in the summer, will bat at No 3 in Bethell’s absence, with Pope returning to the squad having been dropped during the Ashes to provide experienced batting and wicket-keeping cover.

Lawrence, meanwhile, is rewarded for an outstanding summer for Surrey that currently sees him as the second top run-scorer in Division One of the County Championship, and will bat at No 6.

With Shoaib Bashir the lone specialist spin option within the squad, Lawrence may provide an all-round off-spinning option in his first Test appearance in two years.

Among the seamers, there are returns for Sam Cook – out of favour since featuring against Zimbabwe – and Brydon Carse, fit again after a hand injury. There is no seam-bowling all-rounder, though, with Sam Curran and Craig Overton among those overlooked despite Ben Stokes’s retirement.

“We have selected a squad for the first two Tests that balances rising talent with the experience needed against a quality Pakistan team,” selector Marcus North said.

“Dan Lawrence returns following an exceptional season so far with Surrey and we believe he has the right level of experience, maturity and skill to complement our middle order.

“Jordan Cox is well regarded as one of the most exciting talents in English cricket and will have the opportunity to bat at 3 in place of Jacob Bethell, who sadly misses this series through injury.”

Joe Root’s return as captain comes as England seek to end a lean recent run that has seen them win just two of their last nine Tests.

Emilio Gay appears set to continue as Ben Duckett’s opening partner, while Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Matthew Fisher, Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue continue to offer seam options.

England will be coached by interim boss Marcus Trescothick with new head coach Stephen Fleming not yet in post. The New Zealander is due to arrive at some point in September, though had some input on the squad for this series.

Pakistan secured a second Test victory over the West Indies this week to square the series 1-1. The first Test at Headingley begins on 19 August, before matches at Lord’s and Edgbaston.

England Men’s Test squad (16 player):

Joe Root (Yorkshire – captain)

Jofra Archer (Sussex)

Gus Atkinson (Surrey)

Shoaib Bashir (Derbyshire)

Harry Brook (Yorkshire)

Brydon Carse (Durham)

Sam Cook (Essex)

Jordan Cox (Essex)

Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire)

Matthew Fisher (Surrey)

Emilio Gay (Durham)

Dan Lawrence (Surrey)

Ollie Pope (Surrey)

Ollie Robinson (Sussex)

Jamie Smith (Surrey)

Josh Tongue (Nottinghamshire)