England’s cricket skipper Ben Stokes is facing a significant setback as he is officially ruled out of the fifth Test against India, set to commence at The Oval on Thursday. The reason for Stokes’ absence stems from a shoulder injury that has been troubling him and will necessitate that the England team make some tactical adjustments ahead of the match.
In Stokes’s absence, Ollie Pope will be stepping up to lead the side. The inclusion of Jacob Bethell in the squad, who will bat at number six, brings a new dynamic to the lineup amidst the changes required due to Stokes’ injury. The team will undoubtedly feel the void left by Stokes, who has been pivotal for England throughout the series.
Moreover, the bowling lineup is also undergoing alterations. The absence of fast bowlers Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse, alongside spinner Liam Dawson, leaves the team needing to adapt. They will see the inclusion of seamers Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue, and Jamie Overton, while Chris Woakes retains his spot in the squad. Woakes has been a consistent performer, having played in all matches of the series up until now.
The hurt feels even more pronounced considering Stokes’ recent form. He was named Player of the Match in the third and fourth Tests, showcasing his all-round capabilities. The last Test at Old Trafford saw him struggle across the final three days. Stokes bowled a total of 24 overs in India’s first innings but was only able to manage 11 in their second due to his shoulder injury. His difficulties were apparent as he was frequently seen gingerly handling his right shoulder, which raises concerns about his fitness in the longer term.
This is particularly significant for England as Stokes has performed exceptionally, contributing with both bat and ball. He had recorded a remarkable 5-72 in the first innings against India in Manchester and followed up with a sensational knock of 141. This achievement made him only the fourth England player in history to take a five-wicket haul and score a century in the same Test match.
The challenge faced by England now is the depth of their bowling attack, which looks a bit vulnerable without the participating Stokes and others. Tongue was notable in his performance with 11 wickets in the initial two Tests, while Woakes has gathered 10. On the other hand, Overton has only featured in one Test to date, which was against New Zealand in 2022. This lack of experience within the squad can be a daunting situation against a formidable Indian side.
On a brighter note, Gus Atkinson makes his return following a hamstring injury that hampered him during a one-off Test against Zimbabwe in May. This match will mark his first appearance in this series after having only played a second XI game since his injury. Without a specialist spinner in the XI, the team will have to rely on part-time options from Bethell and Joe Root.
The finalized England XI for the fifth Test against India will look like this: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope (captain), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jacob Bethell, Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Jamie Overton, and Josh Tongue.
As supporters await what’s bound to be an engrossing showdown at The Oval, the absence of a key player like Stokes undoubtedly sends ripples through the England camp, making the upcoming match even more critical as they aim to clinch victory against their rivals, India. The ramifications of his absence could also extend to the players stepping up in his place, who will need to rise to the occasion and demonstrate resilience amidst pressure.
