England announce squad for fifth Test
England announced their 16-member squad for the final Test against India at Manchester. The hosts look to tie the Test series 2-2 after a heavy defeat by 157 runs at the Oval.
Wicketkeeper batsman Jos Buttler and spinner Jack Leach return to the squad. Buttler missed the fourth Test as he was blessed with a baby girl – Margot.
Leach’s return could mean replacing Moeen Ali or England contemplating the idea of playing 2 spinners in their playing XI.
Pacer Saqib Mahmood suffered a side strain while playing for Lancashire over the weekend as he misses the cut on his home ground. It is remained to see if England would go for both Anderson and Robinson to play fifth straight Test in the series.
“James knows his own body, so it will be a discussion that he and I will have together,” said Silverwood.
“He will have input, without a shadow of a doubt, and he will certainly give me an honest opinion of where he is at. I know what it’s like, he won’t want to miss any cricket, but we have to make sure we look after him.
“Although there is a gap between the final Test and what’s in front of him he is certainly someone I want to make sure is looked after.”
England squad for fifth Test:
Joe Root (c), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonathan Bairstow, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Haseeb Hameed, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.
