In a major blow to England, captain and allrounder Ben Stokes has been ruled out from the fifth and final Test of their ongoing series against India at home. Stokes, who produced an excellent all-round show in Manchester with a century and five-wicket haul, is unavailable due to a right shoulder injury.
Ollie Pope will lead England in Stokes’ absence with the 5th Test starting from Thursday (July 31) at The Oval in London.
England have made as many as four changes to their playing XI for the series finale resting Jofra Archer, Brydon Carse and dropping spinner Liam Dawson.
Pacer Josh Tongue, who played the first two Tests, is back in the eleven.
Fast bowler Gus Atkinson is also set to play his first Test of the series having last made an appearance for England in May when they hosted Zimbabwe for a one-off Test in Nottingham. Atkinson had suffered a hamstring injury and recently proved his fitness by making an appearance for Surrey’s second XI.
Right-arm pacer Jamie Overton is set to add another match to his only Test of England career that came against New Zealand back in 2022.
In place of Stokes, England have included 21-year-old Jacob Bethell who made his debut during the New Zealand tour of 2024. He has 260 runs from three Tests at an average of 52 including three half-centuries.
Stokes’ Absence
Stokes has been England’s leading bowler of the series and is in fact the current top wicket-taker with as many as 17 scalps from four Tests at an average of 25.24. With the bat, the 34-year-old has scored 304 runs at an average of 43.43.
England currently lead the five-match series 2-1 thanks to victories in the first Test in Leeds and a close win at Lord’s.
England XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope (captain), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jacob Bethell, Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Jamie Overton, Josh Tongue
