England have moved to fortify its fast-bowling assets forward of the fifth and closing Take a look at towards India at The Oval, calling up fast-bowling all-rounder Jamie Overton. The inclusion of Overton alerts England’s intent to inject contemporary impetus and supply much-needed cowl to a tempo assault that endured a gruelling exercise in the course of the drawn fourth Test at Old Trafford. With the sequence on the road, the hosts are leaving no stone unturned of their quest to register a victory or draw that might see them clinch the sequence.
England reinforces their tempo battery
The choice to convey Overton into the squad comes within the wake of an arduous fourth Take a look at in Manchester, the place England’s bowlers spent a staggering 143 overs within the area throughout the ultimate two days as India efficiently batted out for a draw.
The workload has been significantly heavy on Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse, each of whom have featured in all 4 Checks of the present sequence. Jofra Archer, making his long-awaited return from a four-year damage lay-off, has additionally performed in two matches, including to the cumulative fatigue throughout the fast-bowling division. The tight turnaround between matches additional complicates issues, with England concluding play late on Sunday night in Manchester and the decisive Take a look at commencing simply three days afterward Thursday. Overton, who earned his sole Take a look at cap in 2022, joins Gus Atkinson and Josh Tongue as the extra tempo choices within the expanded England squad, highlighting the administration’s concern over bowler health and readiness.
Whereas Overton’s call-up supplies depth, there stays a component of uncertainty surrounding the match readiness of a few of England’s tempo reserves. Overton, now 31, has had restricted first-class cricket just lately, having performed just one match since Might. This diminished sport time is partly attributed to a finger damage sustained whereas representing England in an ODI towards West Indies earlier in the summertime. His final Take a look at look was in 2022, which means his return to the longest format could be a major step up in depth after a interval of relative inactivity in red-ball cricket.
Gus Atkinson, a promising 27-year-old, loved a breakthrough Take a look at season in 2024, claiming a formidable 52 wickets. Nevertheless, his present summer season has been marred by damage. A hamstring difficulty sustained in the course of the one-off Take a look at towards Zimbabwe has stored him out of first-class rivalry for over two months.
Josh Tongue, additionally 27, has newer Take a look at expertise, having performed within the first two matches of the sequence towards India and taking 11 wickets. He has remained throughout the England squad all through and was just lately launched to take part within the closing two days of Nottinghamshire’s County Championship fixture at Hampshire, suggesting he’s nearer to full match health.
Contemplating the health of captain Ben Stokes, chance of all three — Overton, Atkinson, and Tongue — being drafted into the taking part in XI for the ultimate Take a look at will not be being dominated out.
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England’s squad for the Oval Take a look at
Ben Stokes (c), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes
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