New Delhi: England cricket team have announced their squad for India vs England fourth Test against India. Chris Woakes makes his return to the England squad. The hosts have made two changes to their squad. Chris Woakes comes in place of Saqib Mahmood and Sam Billings replaces Jos Buttler in the squad. In the recently-concluded Ind vs Eng 3rd Test, England defeated India by an innings and 76 runs to level the five-match Test series 1-1.
Jos Buttler has decided to skip playing the Ind vs Eng 4th test as he's about to become a father to a second child. Wicketkeeper batsman Sam Billings has been included in England's 15-member squad as a backup player. One of England's top-performing players in 2020, Chris Woakes has not played red-ball cricket for almost a year due to England's rotation policy and his injury.
Reacting to Chris Woakes' return in the 15-men squad, England head coach Chris Silverwood said, "It is a matter of great pleasure that Chris Woakes has returned to the Test team. He bowled brilliantly for Warwickshire last week."
“Jonny Bairstow will take over wicketkeeping duties, which he is relishing. 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.
“Sam Billings, who was in the Test squad for the New Zealand series earlier this summer, returns as reserve keeper. He understands how we want to approach our cricket and is a popular member of the group. He will fit in well with the rest of the group.”
England's 15-member squad: Joe Root (C), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonathan Bairstow, Rory Burns, Sam Billings, Sam Curran, Haseeb Hameed, Dan Lawrence, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton,Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Mark Wood,Chris Woakes.