Ben Stokes will not participate in England’s final Test against India at The Oval due to an injury. Stokes, who showed remarkable resilience in the previous match despite a shoulder injury, will be replaced by allrounder Jacob Bethell. Ollie Pope will take over the captaincy role as England aims to secure their 2-1 series lead.
England has made significant changes to their bowling lineup, with only Chris Woakes retaining his spot. Josh Tongue, Gus Atkinson, and Jamie Overton will join the squad for their first Tests of the series. Stokes’ absence is a setback for England, given his outstanding performance in the previous match where he excelled with both bat and ball.
Stokes expressed disappointment at missing the final match due to a muscle tear, emphasizing the importance of weighing the risks involved in playing. The series, despite the draw-friendly conditions in the previous Test, has been captivating with some controversies involving both teams. England XI for the fifth Test includes key players like Zak Crawley, Joe Root, and Chris Woakes.
The final Test promises to be an exciting encounter as England looks to secure the series victory against a resilient Indian side.