Captain Ben Stokes ruled out of 5th Test

England named their playing XI for the fifth Test, with their regular skipper Ben Stokes being ruled out of the series decider owing to a right shoulder injury. Stokes was huffing and puffing, giving everything for his side on the final day with the ball, despite a dodgy hamstring and a shoulder strain; however, he had mentioned in the post-match press conference that the likelihood of him not playing was very unlikely but that has happened. Jacob Bethell replaced Stokes in the XI for England at No.6.

"I’m obviously disappointed. I’ve got a decent tear in the right shoulder," Stokes said in an ECB statement. "Weighing up the risk and reward and the risk was way too high for the damage caused. I’ll start rehabbing now and start to focus on what we have coming up in the winter," Stokes added. Apart from Stokes, England made three more changes to their side with Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse also missing out.

Gus Atkinson returned to the line-up for his first appearance in the series and so did Jamie Overton, whose only Test



appearance came in the 2022 home season against New Zealand. Josh Tongue, the tall Nottinghamshire pacer, who played the first two Tests, also returned to the side with Bethell and Joe Root offering some spin.

Ollie Pope, who led the side in the home series against Sri Lanka last year and a game in Pakistan, will take over from Stokes for the series decider as captain.

With Atkinson coming back and Chris Woakes retaining his spot, two exponents of swing in England's pace attack, the pitch is likely to be on the greener side at the Oval. The series has witnessed mostly flat and dry surfaces, but with a day to go, the pitch is green, and the forecast in London for the week is wet.

England are 2-1 ahead in the series and will be keen to seal the series while India aim to level the series following a defiant draw in Manchester.

England playing XI for 5th Test: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope (c), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jacob Bethell, Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Jamie Overton, Josh Tongue