On Wednesday (February 14), England announced their lineup for the third Test against India, set to begin on February 15 in Rajkot.
After being benched in the second Test, speedster Mark Wood returned to the visitors’ playing XI, taking the place of off-spinner Shoaib Bashir, who made his debut in Vizag.
Throughout the first two Tests, England had fielded just one seamer, with Wood selected for the series opener in Hyderabad before being substituted by the veteran James Anderson in the second match in Vizag.
Left-arm orthodox bowler Tom Hartley, who delivered a decisive spell in the Hyderabad Test, will continue to spearhead England’s spin attack in the absence of Jack Leach, who has been sidelined for the remainder of the series due to a knee injury.
Leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed has also secured his position in the squad after claiming six wickets in the Vizag Test.
The remainder of the lineup remains unchanged. Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett will continue to open the innings, followed by Ollie Pope, Joe Root, and Jonny Bairstow.
Captain Ben Stokes is slated to bat at No. 6, with Ben Foakes as the designated wicketkeeper-batter.
Following the initial two Tests, the five-match series stands evenly balanced at 1-1. England claimed victory in the series opener by 28 runs, while the hosts rebounded to win the second Test by 106 runs.
England’s playing XI for the third Test: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes (c), Ben Foakes (wk), Rehan Ahmed, Tom Hartley, James Anderson, Mark Wood
