England have brought in fast-bowling all-rounder Jamie Overton for the fifth and final Test against India at The Oval this week. Overton, who plays for Surrey, is the only new face in the squad from the team that played at Old Trafford, where India managed to hold on for a draw after batting for five long sessions and facing 143 overs.
Jamie Overton Recalled for Final Test at The Oval
England looked set to go 3-1 up in the series after taking a massive 311-run first-innings lead, but they couldn’t finish the job in the second innings. Despite Chris Woakes picking up two quick wickets in the very first over, India lost just four wickets in the entire second innings.
With a short gap between matches, skipper Ben Stokes hinted that the team might need some “fresh legs” in the bowling department for the final showdown starting Thursday.
Woakes and Brydon Carse have both played in all four Tests so far, while Jofra Archer has now featured in two games back-to-back after returning to Test cricket following a four-year break.
Woakes, Carse, and Archer’s Workload Under Review
Stokes, who has been battling through some injury issues, says he’s “very unlikely” to sit out, but considering the tight schedule, a few changes are likely.
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Overton, who made his only Test appearance back in 2022, now joins seamers Gus Atkinson and Josh Tongue in a 15-man squad fighting for a place in the final XI.
Josh Tongue impressed in the first two Tests by picking up 11 wickets, though he did leak runs. Atkinson, meanwhile, hasn’t played a red-ball game since England’s Test win over Zimbabwe in May.
As for spin options, Liam Dawson is expected to keep his place as England’s main spinner, even though he managed just one wicket across both innings in Manchester.
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