Chris Woakes returns to England squad for fourth Test

Wicketkeeper Jos Buttler is absent, with his wife expecting the couple’s second child, with Sam Billings called up as cover

Chris Woakes and Mark Wood have been named in England’s squad for the fourth Test of the series.

Wicketkeeper Jos Buttler is absent, with his wife expecting the couple’s second child. Kent’s Sam Billings has been called up as cover for the second time this summer, having previously been drafted in as back-up after Ben Foakes injured his hamstring before the two-Test series against New Zealand.

Woakes has recovered from a heel injury and could make his first Test appearance since facing Pakistan in August 2020. He came through a T20 Blast quarter-final for Birmingham Bears on Friday night against Kent, for whom Billings was playing.

Wood played in the second Test but then missed England’s win at Headingley with a shoulder problem. He bowled on the outfield after the game’s conclusion will continue to be assessed by England’s medical team.

Jonny Bairstow will keep wicket in Buttler’s place, doing so in Test cricket for the first time in two years. “As we all know, he has the skills to seamlessly take over from Jos and the ability to score crucial runs in the middle-order if called upon,” said England head coach Chris Silverwood.

“It is very pleasing that we have Chris Woakes returning to the Test squad. He has bowled well over the past week with Warwickshire without any real concerns with his heel injury. He is an asset we have been missing both with the ball and his ability to score runs in the middle order. We are looking forward to seeing him prepare at the Oval as we go into back-to-back Tests.

^{Jos Buttler's wife is expecting the couple's second child}

“Mark Wood is making excellent recovery from his jarred right shoulder. He bowled in the middle on the last day at Headingley with our bowling coach Jon Lewis and was starting to get through his spells pain-free.

“For the first time in this series, it is pleasing to have several options with our bowling stocks as we approach the latter stages of the series.

“We would like to wish Jos (Buttler) and his family all the very best for the impending birth of their second child. Unfortunately, he will miss this Test, and we’ll then see if he returns for the final Test at Emirates Old Trafford.”

Ollie Pope and Dan Lawrence will compete for the final spot in the side.

England squad: Joe Root, Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Sam Billings, Rory Burns, Sam Curran, Haseeb Hameed, Dan Lawrence, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood

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