Chris Woakes and Ollie Pope have been added to England’s squad ahead of their final Test clash with India, with former captain Alastair Cook primed for his curtain call at The Oval.
Warwickshire star Woakes and Surrey batsman Pope come in to make a 13-man squad that will prepare for the fifth Test that starts on Friday in London.
England wrapped up a 3-1 series victory with their 60-run triumph in the fourth Test in Southampton, and will now bid to hand Essex star Cook a farewell win before his international retirement.
? SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT ?
We have named a 13-man squad for the fifth Specsavers Test against India.
➡️ https://t.co/sTMibDjaSZ#EngvInd pic.twitter.com/3fJukVosy4
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 4, 2018
Cook has racked up an England record 12,254 runs in 160 Tests for England, with 32 centuries, but the 33-year-old will retire after one more tussle with India.
England’s squad – the same XI that faced India in the fourth Test plus Woakes and Pope – offers precious few clues as to the long-term direction of the side once Cook departs.
It also remains to be seen who will keep wicket, with Jos Buttler having stepped into the role in Southampton given Jonny Bairstow was struggling with a broken finger.
ENGLAND SQUAD TO FACE INDIA AT THE OVAL: Joe Root (Yorkshire, capt), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), Jimmy Anderson (Lancashire), Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Jos Buttler (Lancashire), Alastair Cook (Essex), Sam Curran (Surrey), Keaton Jennings (Lancashire), Ollie Pope (Surrey), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Ben Stokes (Durham), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire).
