England captain Alastair Cook says he is surprised by the row over the decision to omit seamer James Anderson for the first-Test defeat by Pakistan.

Jake Ball is set to make his England debut against Pakistan at Lord's on Thursday after captain Alastair Cook confirmed his place in the side a day before the start of the first Test.

England Test skipper Alastair Cook believes his batsmen are well-prepared to deal with Pakistan's fiery attack next month after getting plenty of practice in the middle against a weakened Sri Lanka side.

The past week was a busy one in the world of sports with the start of the Euro 2016, continuation of the Copa America Centenario and records set in local hockey.

England captain Alastair Cook insisted India batting great Sachin Tendulkar's all-time record for Test runs had yet to come into his sights even though he had surpassed one mark set by the 'Little Master'.

England coach Trevor Bayliss believes Alastair Cook has it in him to surpass India great Sachin Tendulkar as Test cricket's all-time leading run-scorer.

Alastair Cook will have the opportunity to create history when England take on Sri Lanka in the first Test which begins today in Leeds.

England subside to a 127-run defeat in the third and final Test against Pakistan and a 2-0 series loss.

Pakistan target victory over England in the third and final Test from Sunday in what would be a fitting farewell for Misbah-ul-Haq, the country's most successful captain who has hinted he's ready to retire.

Batsman Joe Root is adamant England can still claim an unlikely victory on the final day of the first test against Pakistan after his side moved 46 runs ahead of Pakistan on Friday.

Alastair Cook plays the third longest innings in Test history on Friday, scoring a monumental 263 to help England take the lead against Pakistan in the first Test in Abu Dhabi.

Moeen Ali impressed with the ball as England drew their opening tour game against Pakistan A in Sharjah.

England captain Alastair Cook said the ongoing uncertainty over the identity of the team's next permanent coach would not bother him so long as his side kept winning.