In a major blow for England, skipper Ben Stokes will miss the fifth and final Oval Test against India, starting on Thursday, July 31. The all-rounder, who till now played a starring role in his team's victories in two Tests, has suffered a shoulder injury. He is also the leading wicket-taker in the five-match Test series, picking 17 wickets.
Alongside the southpaw, Jofra Archer will also not be part of the playing XI as the pacer has been rested after playing back-to-back two Tests since returning from injury. Liam Dawson and Braydon Carse are the other two to miss out from the Oval Test, with Ollie Pope set to lead the side in the absence of Stokes.
Notably, the hosts have made four changes to the side that played against India in the Manchester Test, which ended in a draw.
England Playing XI for Oval Test
Openers - Ben Duckett & Zak Crawley
There are no changes at the top of the order as Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett are set to open for the fifth Test as well. The latter has been in terrific form, amassing over 350 runs. While the former has got starts, he has failed to convert those into big scores. He is also the only batter in the top six of the English side to score a hundred.
Middle-order - Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jacob Bethell & Harry Brook
The middle order will see the trio of Pope, Root, and Brook, who have been in good form in the ongoing series. Root, who surpassed Jacques Kallis, Rahul Dravid, and Ricky Ponting to be second on the all-time run-scorer list, will yet again be a key batter for the hosts. He is the second leading run-scorer of the side after Jamie Smith. Root also scored a fine hundred in the last Test.
Meanwhile, Harry Brook and Pope have been a bit inconsistent in the ongoing series. The former started the series in scintillating fashion by scoring two centuries, but he has tapered off since then. The latter also has been guilty of throwing away his starts, scoring just a single century. Bethall will be seen for the first time in this series. The southpaw is also the sole spinner selected in the playing XI for the Oval Test.
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Lower middle-order batters - Jamie Smith, Chris Woakes, & Gus Atkinson
England's lower middle-order will see wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith, Woakes, and Gus Atkinson in the seven, eight & nine positions. Smith is the leading run-scorer, while Woakes has contributed with bat and ball. Meanwhile, Atkinson will play his first match of the series after recovering from injury.
Bowlers - Jamie Overton & Josh Tongue
This area is a slight area of concern, with Overton playing his first Test of the series, and Tounge, who has played two Tests, but has been slightly expensive. These two have to bulk of the third and fourth seamer's role if the hosts have to clinch the series.
