LONDON: England on Monday named an unchanged squad for the third Test against India, starting in Nottingham on Saturday.
The only addition could be of all-rounder Ben Stokes. But the England selectors will take a call on the same once his ongoing court-trial in Bristol for affray charges ends later this week.
England won the second Test at Lord’s by an innings and 159 runs. They had previously won the first Test in Birmingham by 31 runs, and have a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.
Squad: Joe Root (capt), Alastair Cook, Keaton Jennings, Olliver Pope, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid, James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Moeen Ali, Jamie Porter.However, the possibility of England all-rounder Ben Stokes making into the team for the third Test against India is quite low regardless of the outcome of his trial for affray at Bristol Crown Court.
Stokes is also facing a cricket discipline case which has been put on hold pending the end of criminal proceedings, prompting speculations in the local media that he could also miss the rest of the Test series.
His trial continues today and is not expected to conclude until Wednesday, 24 hours after England are likely to name their squad for the third Test.
The 27-year-old is facing a trial for his involvement in a Bristol nightclub brawl, which took place last year in September. The trial is still on and it is expected that England Cricket Board (ECB) will take a final call on Stokes only after the triel.
Stokes has been in a sublime form with the bat and played a key role in England’s 31-run victory in the series opener at Birmingham, taking four wickets in the second innings including that of skipper Virat Kohli.
But the home team did not miss the services of their star all-rounder during the second Test at Lord’s as Chris Woakes, his replacement stepped up at the right time and contributed handsomely with bat and ball.
England lead the five-match series 2-0 and the team will be in a much lighter note, reducing the pressure on the team management to rush back Stokes even if he is found not guilty. (PTI)
