Knee injury might force Stokes to skip bowling at Southampton

Calming the racing heartbeats down initiated after England’s announcement of including two spinners in the playing XI for the fourth Test, England captain Joe Root cleared that the decision to play Moeen Ali had more to do with precaution than tactics to trap India with spin.

Calming the racing heartbeats down initiated after England’s announcement of including two spinners in the playing XI for the fourth Test, England captain Joe Root cleared that the decision to play Moeen Ali had more to do with precaution than tactics to trap India with spin.

Moeen Ali has been brought back into the England Test side after five months as England are unsure about the fitness of all-rounder Ben Stokes. Youngster Ollie Pope was left out to maintain the balance of the side and give Joe Root more bowling options just in case Stokes is unable to bowl.

"There are two changes to the team from last week. Sam Curran comes in for Chris Woakes - he's not fit to play this time around - and with Ben not being 100 per cent in terms of the amount he can bowl and the balance of the side, Moeen comes in for Ollie Pope," Root said in the pre-match press conference.

Stokes suffered a knee injury during the third Test, his first since being acquitted of affray charges after a brawl outside a pub.

"The likes of Moeen going back to county cricket making a double hundred and take six-for, Sam went back and played for Surrey and now has another opportunity. At all times, you're not far away from playing," he added.

While strengthening the bowling has left England with a few uneasy questions in their batting line-up. With no Pope and Malan, Bairstow who is playing only as a batsman will be promoted to no. 4 and both Stokes and Buttler will have to bat higher than their usual positions to accommodate Moeen Ali at no.7.

However, Root expressed confidence that his side will bounce back from the defeat suffered in Nottingham.

"We under-performed last week, that's the bottom line. One of our big strengths as a squad is our strength of character and, at home in particular, we're very good at bouncing back from difficult weeks," he said.

"We've done it time and time again before. And I don't expect anything less form the group this time as well," he added.

The green-top wicket at Southampton also suits England just fine, with James Anderson only seven wickets away from overtaking Australia's Glenn McGrath to become the most successful Test pacer. Root hoped Anderson would achieve the feat in this Test.

"One thing he gives me is great control. He is obviously a very great attacking threat when it is seaming and swinging but you always feel that it is going to create pressure for you and he is always going to ask difficult questions of batters for long periods of time," he said.

"He is brilliant to have around and I think he is getting better and better to be honest. I think he could play for a good while yet which is really exciting if he can stay on the park and he looks desperate to do so,"  said Root.

The skipper also hoped that Alastair Cook would hit form like he did for England back in 2014, when he scored 95 runs, albeit benefitting from a dropped catch. Root hoped that the batting line-up would put up an improved performance in this Test.

"I remember being sat in the dressing room (in 2014) almost a little bit emotional for him. That was the feeling within the group, how much he means to the squad. We are fully aware of what he's capable of doing.

"It was nice to have that support heard from outside the four walls of the changing room. Think he got 95 caught down the leg side (in 2014).

"It's been frustrating, but this is another opportunity to put it right. There are a lot of very hungry guys to do that. Having seen Jos go and score a Test century, and how much that means to him, hopefully, that drives other guys on too," Root signed off.