Uncapped batsmen Rory Burns and Joe Denly have been named in England's Test squad to tour Sri Lanka, alongside fellow rookie Olly Stone.
Alastair Cook's retirement after 161 Tests left Ed Smith's selection panel with a top-order conundrum which has been solved by a long-awaited summons for Surrey captain Burns and an international return for 32-year-old Denly.
Unlike Burns, the Kent veteran has played white-ball international cricket before, but has not been seen at the highest level since a Twenty20 in Dubai in February 2010.
Keaton Jennings, Cook's last opening partner, retains his place in a 16-man squad despite a poor summer and senior seamers James Anderson and Stuart Broad will both travel, scotching suggestions one or both could be rested for the three-match series.
Warwickshire seamer Stone, having already earned his place in the 50-over squad, continues his rapid ascent by taking his place alongside the established duo.
In the spin department, which is likely to be a major factor on the turning decks at Galle, Kandy and Colombo, Somerset's 20-year-old Jack Leach returns alongside established pair Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid.
Leach played his only Test in Christchurch before injury struck and could get the chance to play a big role.
Twenty-year-old Surrey prospect Ollie Pope also gets the nod, edging the more experienced James Vince for the final batting slot.
Referring to the three new faces, Smith said: "Rory Burns, who has led Surrey to the Championship title, has been the most consistent run-scorer in county cricket in recent seasons and fully deserves his elevation to the Test squad. Rory is the leading championship run-scorer this season with 1,319 at an average of 69.
"Joe Denly has had an excellent season with bat and ball and has matured into one of the leading players in county cricket. He has that all-round touch of class that can help at the highest level.
"Olly Stone is an exciting talent who bowls with pace and skill. His 37 wickets in the county championship have come at an average of 12.27 and a strike rate of 22.22."
🏴 With England touring Sri Lanka next, @Richard_Mann11 sat down with Hampshire star @sanortheast to discuss all things cricket and his burning England ambitions.
— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) September 18, 2018
🏏 Don't miss the full interview here 👇https://t.co/G0ReqEsdkH
Kent's Denly admitted he was not sure whether his chance at a Test debut had gone.
"I suppose I always held on to the hope that the opportunity hadn't gone," he told Sky Sports. "Thankfully it hasn't and it's been a pretty good day!
"I found out today. Ed Smith gave me a call this afternoon around two o'clock. I probably thought my chance had gone knowing they were announcing the squad around 3.30pm so it was a great call to get.
"I think it probably helped my selection that I've batted in all positions. I think that's what I've got to do, I've got to bat in all those positions and hopefully if selected in a game then I can take that chance at whatever number it is."
Denly is hoping he can contribute with the ball after his leg-spin bowling proved to be a real weapon in Kent colours this season - helping them to promotion from Division Two.
"I've really enjoyed the opportunity I've had with the ball this year," Denly added. "I'm very excited to get out there and see what wickets we come up against. I'm sure we will be challenged against spin bowling and hopefully if selected I can contribute with the ball as well as the bat.
"It's been a pretty good couple of days, getting promotion yesterday, we had a very successful white-ball campaign as well with the T20s and one-dayers and personally it's been a very enjoyable few years.
"This season has been very enjoyable and topped off today with this news."
