England captain Ben Stokes has been ruled out of the Oval Test with a shoulder injury. The all-rounder was having trouble with his hamstring and shoulder while bowling in the last two days in Manchester. Despite the pain, Stokes continued to bowl. And now he and England will pay for it.
Injured Stokes out of Oval Test
Stokes pushed his body too far, which included bowling an 8-over spell on the fifth day. He was seen touching his shoulder and hammy after each ball, but continued to bowl. Now, Stokes has been ruled out of the India vs England 5th Test with a right shoulder injury. In Stokes’ absence, Ollie Pope will be leading the team.
“Disappointed. Decent tear in the muscles I can’t pronounce. I came down here this morning trying to find ways just to contribute with the batting. After discussions with the medical team, it was decided. The risk was way too high. I wouldn’t have expected anyone else in my place to risk this as well,” Stokes told reporters at the Oval.
“Yes, perhaps the scheduling could be done better. Two tests had eight or nine-day breaks, and we also have two three-day gaps. This could be done better, like maybe a four or five-day gap for every test to maintain the consistency,” Stokes said on the scheduling of the matches.
Archer & Carse rested, Dawson dropped
Stokes has been replaced with Jamie Overton, who was the only addition to England’s squad for the Oval Test. A pace-bowling all-rounder like Stokes, Overton is a like-for-like replacement. But there are three more changes. England have rested Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse as well.
Carse has played the first four Test matches, while Archer, who is returning after 4 years, played two matches on the trot and has been benched to manage his workload. Gus Atkinson and Josh Tongue will replace him.
Liam Dawson, who returned to Test cricket after 8 years, has been dropped. Surrey, the home team at the Oval, has made it a habit of playing 4 frontline pacers at the venue and has found success. England seems to be following the same method. Jacob Bethell has come in for Dawson, but the main reason for his selection is his batting.
Predicted England Playing XI for 4th India Test
Batters: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope (c), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jacob Bethell, Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Jamie Overton, Josh Tongue
