On Sunday, England announced their squad for the fourth Test against India at The Oval, starting September 2. The return of all-rounder Chris Woakes was the headlining aspect of the squad, as was the absence of Jos Buttler due to paternity leave.
Buttler has been granted a break to be with his wife as they expect the birth of their second child in early September. The star wicketkeeper-batsman could also miss the last Test of the series in Manchester, having earlier confirmed that he won’t be taking part in the UAE leg of the Indian Premier League for Rajasthan Royals.
“We would like to wish Jos 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.”
England coach Chris Silverwood said in a media release.
In Buttler’s absence, Jonny Bairstow is all set to don the gloves in Test cricket again for England. The Yorkshireman featured in the first three games of the Pataudi Trophy as a specialist batsman only. But he now has a fantastic opportunity to strengthen his case as the backup wicketkeeper-batsmen.
“Jonny Bairstow will take over wicketkeeping 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,”
Silverwood said.
Promising young batsman Ollie Pope, who can double up as a wicketkeeper too, is England’s reserve gloveman for the penultimate Test versus India.
England will be delighted to have Woakes back and available to be picked after a sustained period out of action since the start of the summer due to a heel injury.
Woakes, who last featured in England whites in August 2020, had undergone a lengthy period in rehab and proved his fitness recently with a couple of domestic encounters. His comeback only further boosts England’s bowling attack after the home team’s innings victory at Headingley. He has an exceptional record in English conditions, with 87 wickets from 24 Tests at just 22.87 runs per piece and has also averages 35.36 with the bat.
Silverwood said it is “very pleasing” to have Woakes back, whose all-round capabilities also multiplies the threat for touring India.
The head coach had another reason to smile as Mark Wood is showing “excellent” signs of recovery from a shoulder injury picked up while fielding during the second Test at Lord’s.
Wood bowled well in the nets at Headingley, with the right-arm seamer going through his spells “pain-free”, and continues to be monitored by the medical staff.
While Woakes looks like a direct swap for the currently struggling Sam Curran, it remains to be seen if Wood replaces Craig Overton, who, although performed well in Leeds, is below the more express quick in the pecking order.
“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,”
Silverwood said, relieved that England are finally beginning to have most of their first-choice options back, even though the absence of Stuart Broad in those conditions is still a massive one.
Broad was ruled out of the final four Test matches against India after picking up a calf injury ahead of the second game at Lord’s. The paceman didn’t have the best of outings at Trent Bridge but is a force to be reckoned with at home, England’s second-highest Test match wicket-taker in cricket history.
