England bring Mark Wood back, retain two spinners for fifth India Test

England have gone against the suggestion of a seamers heavy attack for the fifth and final Test against India in Dharamsala. The visitors have made just one change for the Test that begins on Thursday with Ollie Robinson making way for Mark Wood.

Ahead of the fifth Test, the conversation had centered on England seemingly bringing in an extra seamer, given the cold conditions anticipated in Dharamsala. It was helped further by the fact that the surface for this match is the same as was used when all 36 wickets fell to seam in the Ranji Trophy match between Himachal Pradesh and Delhi.

However, following a final inspection, England have retained the balance that kept them competitive in Ranchi - Shoaib Bashir’s offspin alongside Tom Hartley’s left-arm spin.

Bashir suffered a cut to his spinning finger during the 70 overs he bowled in the fourth Test, but which England don’t believe will affect him unduly. However, they are a little wary of stomach complaints which forced both Bashir and Robinson out of a training session.

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“You don’t want to put anybody at risk so we’ve decided to keep them away from the team,” England captain Ben Stokes explained. “It’s the sensible thing to do. When you’ve got so many people contained in the same space all the time you want to limit the chance of it spreading. So to keep the two guys who are slightly unwell back at the hotel away from the guys is the sensible thing to do.”

Stokes believes Bashir will get over the illness, with no contingency plan in place either. Fast bowler Gus Atkinson and Dan Lawrence, who bowls part-time off spin, are other two members of the now 14-man group.

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“If that’s the case [that Bashir is too ill to play], we’ll have to consider what we think is best. I’ve not thought too far ahead. It’s not a major issue, we just wanted to safeguard against anything spreading to someone else.”

Robinson had been brought in for the fourth Test in Ranchi but produced an inspid performance. He suffered a back strain while batting and was unsured in India’s successful run-chase. He, thus, makes way for Wood who was rested in Ranchi after putting the hard yards in Rajkot.

“It looks like a wicket that could have a bit of pace and carry in it,” said Stokes. “Having a fresh Mark Wood on a wicket that you feel is going to offer some pace - it’s something that’s been consistent whenever we’ve gone with two seamers. Looking at having a bowler like Jimmy but wanting to have some pace and firepower to break the game open. With having two spinners, it allows us to play either conditions at different times throughout the Test.”

England’s attack will be led by James Anderson, who will be playing his fourth consecutive match in the series at the age of 41, and who needs two wickets to reach 700.

“It’s phenomenal to think about, especially as a seam bowler,” said Stokes of the milestone. “An amazing career to date, and I can’t see him stopping.

“I have played with Jimmy for a long time and I’ve never seen him as physically fit as he looks right now. Being 41, showing that hunger and desire to get better every single day is a testament to his attitude and commitment to the game.”

England XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes (capt), Ben Foakes (wk), Tom Hartley, Mark Wood, James Anderson, Shoaib Bashir