England suffered a major setback ahead of the fifth and final Test against India as Captain Ben Stokes was ruled out due to a shoulder muscle tear. The all-rounder sustained the injury during the fourth Test and will play no part in the Oval decider.
'Captain Ben Stokes is unavailable due to a right shoulder injury,' the ECB said in a statement on Wednesday.
In his absence, Ollie Pope will lead the team for the first time in a Test match. This will also mark a significant leadership change as England look to seal the series, currently leading 2-1.
Jacob Bethell has been recalled to take Ben Stokes’ place at No. 6 in the batting order.
The hosts have made multiple changes to the squad, bringing in Jacob Bethell, Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue, and Jamie Overton, meanwhile, pacer Brydon Carse and left-arm spinner Liam Dawson have been left out
England have also decided to rest Jofra Archer, who featured in back-to-back Tests at Lord’s and Old Trafford — his first red-ball series in four years.
The shuffle comes as England manage a mix of injuries and workload after a long, hard-fought series that has gone into the final day in all four Tests.
Stokes, who has led from the front despite battling niggles throughout the summer, will be sorely missed -- both as a tactician and a middle-order enforcer. His absence leaves a big hole in England's balance, especially with several fast bowlers already fatigued.
The final Test begins Thursday at The Oval, with India eyeing a series-levelling win under young captain Shubman Gill.
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