England vs India: ECB announces the squad for the fifth Test

England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced the squad for the fifth and final Test match against India. The hosts have already won the five-match series and lead by 3-1 which has made the last game a dead rubber. This was a good chance for them to rest some of the senior players. But the selectors have decided to name the unchanged squad for the game which will also see their veteran Alastair Cook playing his last Test for England.

ECB revealed the news of the 13-man squad announcement on its official website as they dropped James Vince who was called up a cover for Ben Stokes. They have also continued to keep faith in Jos Buttler as the wicketkeeper. Jonny Bairstow will once again take the field as the specialist batsman and Keaton Jennings has also been given yet another chance to revive his troubled Test career. The home side will be hoping to put the best foot forward and give a winning farewell to their retiring opener Cook.

Will England make any changes?

Chris Woakes and Ollie Pope have managed to retain their place in the squad and it remains to be seen if the hosts will make any changes to their playing XI. With Moeen Ali sealing his place with a Man of the Match performance in Southampton, there is a possibility that England might go for Woakes to strengthen their all-round options. Even Pope deserves another chance who was dropped for no reason only after a couple of matches.

In case, Woakes plays in place of Rashid, the batting line-up of England will extend up to number nine which might prove to be troublesome for India. So far, in all the Tests, it is the all-rounders of the home side which have hurt them and cost them the series.

The fifth and final Test match is all set to commence on September 7 at the Kennington Oval in London.

Here’s the squad:

Alastair Cook, Keaton Jennings, Joe Root (c), Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler (wk), Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Adil Rashid, James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Chris Woakes, Ollie Pope

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