Sam Billings included in England's squad for India Test as question mark hangs over Ben Foakes

England remain hopeful Foakes will be available for the game against India - which is being being billed as the delayed fifth and final Test of the 2021 series

England have added Sam Billings to their squad for the Test against India at Edgbaston.

Billings was a Covid-19 replacement for Ben Foakes during the third Test against New Zealand at Headingley, and will stay on with the group as Foakes' condition is assessed prior to the clash in Birmingham, which is due to start on Friday.

Foakes complained of a stiff back on day three of the contest in Leeds and later returned a positive Covid test.

England remain hopeful he will be available for the game against India - which is being being billed as the delayed fifth and final Test of the 2021 series.

^{Sam Billings is in the England squad for the India Test [Getty Images]}

The proximity of this game to the conclusion of the New Zealand series means Zak Crawley will get another game to state his case.

Crawley's performances over the course of the summer - and particularly the nature of his dismissals - have drawn plenty of criticism, but he will get another opportunity to make the runs he needs to prove a point at the top of the order.

Jamie Overton is retained following his batting heroics, while brother Craig and Yorkshire's Harry Brook are also in the selection mix. James Anderson will be available after missing the game at Headingley with a minor injury. 

England squad: Ben Stokes (c), James Anderson, Jonathan Bairstow, Sam Billings, Stuart Broad, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Foakes, Jack Leach, Alex Lees, Craig Overton, Jamie Overton, Matthew Potts, Ollie Pope, Joe Root 

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