No surprises as England reveal final Test 13
THERE will be devil in the detail for England at The Oval after they made just the simplest of amendments to their serieswinning squad for the final Test.
The shedding of extra batsman James Vince is the only change to their options after the 60-run victory over India in Southampton which gave them an unassailable 3-1 lead with one to play.
Yet the world has moved on already since Sunday’s success, following the announcement that all-time national record run-scorer Alastair Cook will retire after this week’s match.
The plaudits for a remarkable 12-year career were still dominating back pages when England published their predictable 13-man squad yesterday lunchtime.
In it, they resisted any temptation to name cover for the veteran opener – whose wife Alice is expecting their third child.
The vexed question of whether Jonny Bairstow or Jos Buttler keeps wicket is also “to be confirmed”, with the Yorkshireman as keen as ever to defy any pain from the finger he broke two Tests ago and get back behind the stumps.
There are more obvious indications that Joe Root will remain in the No.4 position he has just reclaimed – with all-rounder Moeen Ali continuing in the spot he was unexpectedly shunted up to for the second innings in Southampton.
Root said: “I’ve always favoured No.4. It’s always been the place I felt I get the best out of myself.”
Coach Trevor Bayliss, who persuaded Root to move up at the start of this summer, appears to have accepted the deal is done again too.
“All credit to him. He has taken that role on with no problems – he has taken one for the team in that respect,” he said.
The last place in their team may depend on the recoveries of Ben Stokes and Chris Woakes from their respective knee and thigh niggles.