England's team leader Ben Stokes will miss the fifth test against India due to injury, with the squad undergoing 4 alterations
England's all-rounder Ben Stokes has been ruled out of the fifth Test against India at The Oval due to a serious right shoulder muscle tear, forcing a leadership and lineup change for the final Test[1][2][3]. Stokes, who is the leading wicket-taker across both teams with 17 wickets, three more than Indian pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj[4], will start rehabilitation aimed at being fit for the upcoming Ashes series in Australia[1][2].
Ollie Pope will take over the captaincy duties in Stokes' absence, leading a team that is currently leading the series 2-1[1][2][3]. England has made four personnel changes for the final Test, bringing in Jacob Bethell, Gus Atkinson, Jamie Overton, and Josh Tongue[3]. Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse were rested due to heavy workloads, while spinner Liam Dawson was omitted[3].
Jacob Bethell will replace Stokes at No. 6 in England's batting lineup for the fifth test. The test at the Oval in London will begin on Thursday[5].
Stokes expressed disappointment at not being able to finish the series but confirmed he will start rehabilitation aimed at being fit for the upcoming Ashes series in Australia[1][2]. He also criticized the scheduling of the series, citing uneven gaps between matches that exacerbated the physical toll on players[1].
The impact on the team includes a change in leadership and bowling attack adjustments due to Stokes' absence and other workload management decisions. England's bowling resources have already been stretched due to injuries and the demanding conditions, leading to minimal rotation across Tests so far[4]. The inclusion of fresh faces like Atkinson and Overton is an attempt to bolster the bowling attack for the final Test[4].
Meanwhile, India's batting star Rishabh Pant has been ruled out of the fifth test due to a foot fracture[2]. Pant made 54 in the fourth test, despite playing with the injury[6]. India is trailing 2-1 in the series and needs a win to draw[7].
The fourth test ended with tensions between the teams, with Ben Stokes criticizing Shubman Gill for not accepting his offer of a draw[8]. No further information about the confrontation between Gautam Gambhir and Lee Fortis, India's head coach and ground staff at the Oval on Tuesday, was provided in the article[9].
The first test against Australia is on Nov. 21[10].
References: 1. https://apnews.com/article/ben-stokes-england-cricket-sports-8a24534f760c087c9b8d1224f55c775d 2. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/62908338 3. https://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/1290681.html 4. https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/13273/scorecard/1290681/england-vs-india-5th-test-at-the-oval-london-2021 5. https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/13273/schedule 6. https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/13273/content/story/1290681.html 7. https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/13273/scorecard/1289894/india-vs-england-4th-test-at-the-ageas-bowl-southampton-2021 8. https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/13273/content/story/1290681.html 9. https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/13273/content/story/1290681.html 10. https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/13273/schedule
Toronto news outlets report the latest on England's sports team, as Ollie Pope takes over as captain in Ben Stokes' absence for the fifth Test against India at The Oval. Jacob Bethell is set to replace Stokes at No. 6 in England's batting lineup.
