England v Pakistan: Mark Wood comes in for second Test as replacement for Liam Livingstone

England have made only one change for the second test on Friday morning against Pakistan in Multan, bringing on fast bowler Mark Wood for the injured Liam Livingstone. It means Ollie Pope keeps the gloves ahead of Ben Foakes after an impressive display behind the stumps in Rawalpindi.

The move weakens the batting, with Ollie Robinson rising to No. 8, but gives Ben Stokes an extra option on the ball, after England felt lighter at times during the first Test.

And while Livingstone was unable to launch his both-way spin in Rawalpindi after picking up a tour-ending knee injury on the pitch, it means Jack Leach will only be backed by part-time breaks from Will Jacks – who took six wickets on his Test debut in the first innings for Pakistan, and Joe Root.

Fast bowler Mark Wood (L) has been selected for England ahead of their second Test against Pakistan, replacing the injured Liam Livingstone (R)

England look to seal a series win over Pakistan after an excellent display in the first Test

But Stokes insisted that the decision to stick with Pope, who made a century in Rawalpindi as well as having six catches and completing a stumping, had no longer-term ramifications for Foakes, whom he previously described as the best wicketkeeper in the world.

Foakes missed Rawalpindi after he was the only member of the playing team not to recover from a bug that had spread through the tourist camp and threatened to delay the start of the game. Now he is paying the price.

“The communication to Ben was that the real positive for him coming out of this squad is that it’s just for this test match,” Stokes said. “Foakesy is still the number 1 glove in England, and I will continue to say that he is the best goalkeeper in the world.”

Ben Stokes also keeps Ollie Pope at wicketkeeper after a superior display behind the stumps.

‘It must sound a bit silly not to pick him, but you have to look at the conditions we face here. Pakistan is a very difficult place to come and bowl. Adding Mark Wood to the side gives us the best chance of taking 20 wickets.

‘That’s what we came here to do, we came here to try and win cricket games, don’t worry, especially going into this game with a 1-0 lead.

“We want to continue to push the way we play and we felt that bringing Woody into the team was the best opportunity for us to do it here in this specific test match.”