In Short
- Stokes has picked up 17 wickets in the series
- Bethell comes into the team as the main spinner
- Archer has also been rested for the match
Ben Stokes to miss 5th Test against India as England make four changes to the playing XI for the match at the Oval. Along with Stokes, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse will also miss the final match of the series, which will begin on July 31.
In Stokes’ absence, Ollie Pope will be captaining the side at the Oval. Jacob Bethell, Jamie Overton, Gus Atkinson and Josh Tongue will come into the side as the replacements for Stokes, Dawson, Archer and Carse as England look to secure the series as they lead 2-1 at the moment. Stokes had been struggling with shoulder and hamstring issues during the Manchester Test. He suffered the niggle on the final day of the fourth Test.
“The England Men’s team has announced four changes to their XI for the Rothesay Fifth Test against India at the Kia Oval, starting on Thursday. Captain Ben Stokes is unavailable due to a right shoulder injury. Also missing out are spinner Liam Dawson and pace bowlers Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse. England have included Jacob Bethell, who will bat at No.6. Surrey bowlers Gus Atkinson and Jamie Overton come into the side, along with Nottinghamshire quick Josh Tongue,” read the statement from England cricket.
Stokes will be a big miss for the final game as he has been in great form with bat and ball. The England captain has scored 304 runs in 4 matches so far, which includes a hundred in the Manchester Test.
Stokes has also been the best bowler in the series in terms of wickets with 17 scalps to his name. With the absence of Dawson, Bethell will serve as the main spinner for England.
Atkinson comes in to replace Archer after shaking off injury concerns. The pacer last played for England during their one-off Test against Zimbabwe earlier this year. Tongue also returns to the lineup after having played the first two matches of the series.
England playing XI for Oval Test:
1. Zak Crawley
2. Ben Duckett
3. Ollie Pope (c)
4. Joe Root
5. Harry Brook
6. Jacob Bethell
7. Jamie Smith (wk)
8. Chris Woakes
9. Gus Atkinson
10. Jamie Overton
11. Josh Tongue
