England make two changes to team for final Ashes Test

Sam Curran and Chris Woakes have been named in the playing eleven, with Jason Roy and Craig Overton left out

Ben Stokes will play as a vitual specialist batsman in the final Ashes Test, with England making two changes to the side that lost at Old Trafford.

Sam Curran and Chris Woakes have been named in the playing eleven, with Jason Roy and Craig Overton left out.

It marks the Surrey left-armer’s first involvement in the series, while the World Cup-winning Woakes returns after being dropped as Australia retained the urn in Manchester.

Overton took two wickets in the match while batting resolutely on the final day to give England a sniff at escaping with a draw.

Roy, meanwhile, has endured a nightmare spell following his pivotal role in England’s World Cup triumph.

After struggling at the top of the order against Australia’s new-ball bowlers, he was dropped down to number four at Old Trafford.

Even there, however, his technique in defence against the moving ball was exposed by the relentlessness of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood.

"It is always tough to leave guys out," said captain Joe Root. "We've had to change the balance of the side and Jason is the unfortunate one to miss out. 

"Jason has had an opportunity play Test cricket and get a feel for it and it has not quite gone as he would have liked. I am sure he will go away, work extremely hard and come back again. 

"That is what you expect of guys when they get left out and I am sure he will show that attitude and want to get out there again and get himself back into the side.

"He is very aware of where he is at and what he needs to do to get himself in the best place to perform in Test cricket."

Stokes suffered a shoulder problem during the fourth Test, ending in his involvement as a bowler in that game. In the third Test, he had produced a spell of herculean lengths, prior to his match-winning 135 with the bat.

England team for fifth Ashes Test: Joe Root (c), Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Jack Leach, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes.