Ben Stokes has been ruled out of the final Test against India at The Oval due to a grade-three muscle tear in his shoulder, sustained during the drawn fourth Test at Old Trafford. Ollie Pope will captain the side as England aim to secure a series victory with their 2-1 lead.
Recovery from such an injury is estimated at six to ten weeks, but England's medical team are hopeful Stokes will return towards the lower end of that timeframe. The England captain, who faces a race to be fit for the Ashes in Australia in 14 weeks, said: "We took as long as we could to make the decision... The risk was way too high."
England have made several changes for the match, with Chris Woakes the only seamer retained from Manchester. Jofra Archer, Brydon Carse and Liam Dawson are rested, while Surrey's Gus Atkinson and Jamie Overton, along with Nottinghamshire's Josh Tongue, come into the side. Jacob Bethell replaces Stokes and will bat at number six, offering a spin option alongside Joe Root.
India are expected to be without vice-captain Rishabh Pant, and Jasprit Bumrah is unlikely to play. India captain Shubman Gill said the decision would be made on the morning of the match, noting the green wicket. Gill also dismissed suggestions of strained relations between the teams following recent controversies, describing them as "unnecessary" but insisting there is mutual respect.
Stokes defended England's conduct at the end of the Old Trafford Test, saying he has "no regrets" about offering a handshake while India's batters sought centuries. "It's a very easy thing to comment on when you've not been out on the field for 250 overs," he said.
