England has called Christopher Woakes for the fourth Test against India at The Oval. While Jos Buttler will miss the match with his wife expecting a second child. Kent wicketkeeper Sam Billings has been included in the 15-man squad as cover.

Christopher Woakes Did Not Play Test Cricket For More Than 12 Months Due to Heel Injury:

England’s player of the year in 2020 Christopher Woakes has not played Test cricket for more than 12 months due to a combination of ECB’s rest and rotation policy and a heel injury. Which ruled him out of the first three Tests of this series. However, he has now returned to fitness. and played in their T20 Blast quarter-finals on Friday evening along with Warwickshire’s second XI last week.

Head coach Chris Silverwood says it is “with great pleasure that Christopher Woakes is back in the Test team. He has bowled well without any real concern with his heel injury last week with Warwickshire.” is of. He is an asset that we are missing with both the ball and his ability to score runs in the middle order. We look forward to seeing him. Prepare at The Oval as we go into back-to-back Tests.”

Jonny Bairstow Will Keep Wickets at The Oval in Butler’s Absence:

Silverwood confirmed that Jonny Bairstow will keep wickets at The Oval in Butler’s absence. But England has included Billings. Who hasn’t made his Test debut yet. Includes in the team as a back-up in case of injury or illness issues. It is not yet known whether Buttler will return to the squad for the final Test at Emirates Old Trafford starting on Friday 10 September.

Silverwood says that “we would like to wish Jose and his family the very best for the imminent birth of their second child.” “Unfortunately, he will miss this Test. And then we will see if he returns for the final Test. Jonny Bairstow will take over the wicketkeeping duties. Which he is enjoying. As we all know he has Has the skill to handle it without any hindrance. José and the ability to score important runs in the middle order when needed.”

Billings to Join England Squad Against Leicestershire

Given that he is unlikely to play at the Oval. Billings will join the England side against Leicestershire after Kent’s County Championship match on Thursday. Butler’s absence meant either Ollie Pope or Dan Lawrence, who would play the first two days of Essex’s championship match against Glamorgan, would move up the middle order.

The other absence from the squad selected for the third Test at Leeds is Saqib Mahmood. Who has been replaced by Vox. Mahmood will play for Lancashire against Warwickshire in their County Championship match. Mark Wood is expected to be available for the fourth Test after recovering from a shoulder strain while fielding at Lord’s.

Mark Wood is Recovering Well From a Blow to His Right Shoulder:

Silverwood said that “Mark Wood is recovering well from the blow to his right shoulder.” “He bowled with our bowling coach John Lewis in the middle on the last day at Headingley and started to release his spell pain-free. For the first time in this series, we are pleased to have many options with our bowling stock. We get into the later stages of the series.”

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