LONDON (AP) England will play two spinners and hand a recall to batsman Gary Ballance in the first test against South Africa at Lord’s starting Thursday.
England captain Joe Root said in his pre-match news conference that allrounder Liam Dawson, who bowls spin, will be picked ahead of paceman Toby Roland-Jones for his second cap.
With Moeen Ali also in the team, England will play a test match at Lord’s with two spin bowlers for the first time since 1993 – when it lost to Australia by an innings and 62 runs.
Ballance is set to bat at No.