(Cricket news) Chris Silverwood, England Men’s Head Coach has named his 15-player squad for the fourth LV=Insurance Test against India at the Kia Oval which will begin on September 2nd, 2021.

England Men’s LV= Insurance Fourth Test Squad

Joe Root (Yorkshire) Captain, Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), James Anderson (Lancashire), Jonathan Bairstow (Yorkshire), Sam Billings (Kent), Rory Burns (Surrey), Sam Curran (Surrey), Haseeb Hameed (Nottinghamshire), Dan Lawrence (Essex), Dawid Malan (Yorkshire), Craig Overton (Somerset), Ollie Pope (Surrey), Ollie Robinson (Sussex), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire), Mark Wood (Durham).

Chris Woakes has recovered from his heel injury and the all-rounder has returned to the squad. Sam Billings has replaced Jos Buttler, whose wife is expecting their second child. England Men’s Head Coach, Chris Silverwood, said: “After the victory at Emerald Headingley, the Test series is beautifully poised against a strong India side going into the next Test at the Kia Oval.

“It is very pleasing that we have Chris Woakes returning to the Test squad. He has bowled well over the past week with Warwickshire without any real concerns with his heel injury. He is an asset we have been missing both with the ball and his ability to score runs in the middle order. We are looking forward to seeing him prepare at the Oval as we go into back-to-back Tests.

“Mark Wood is making excellent recovery from his jarred right shoulder. He bowled in the middle on the last day at Headingley with our Bowling Coach Jon Lewis and was starting to get through his spells pain-free.

“For the first time in this series, it is pleasing to have several options with our bowling stocks as we approach the latter stages of the series.

“We would like to wish Jos (Buttler) and his family all the very best for the impending birth of their second child. Unfortunately, he will miss this Test, and we’ll then see if he returns for the final Test at Emirates Old Trafford.

“Jonny Bairstow will take over wicket keeping duties, which he is relishing. As we all know, he has the skills to seamlessly take over from Jos and the ability to score crucial runs in the middle-order if called upon.

“Sam Billings, who was in the Test squad for the New Zealand series earlier this summer, returns as reserve keeper. He understands how we want to approach our cricket and is a popular member of the group. He will fit in well with the rest of the group.”

England will begin training at the Kia Oval on Tuesday afternoon.

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