XtraTime Web Desk: All-rounder Moeen Ali and Sam Curran have been included in the England playing XI for the fourth test against England which is set to be played at Southampton from tomorrow.
Curran was not in the team in the third test, but again has made a return in this game in place of injured Chris Woakes. On the other hand Moeen who played his last match back in March has come in the team in place of Ollie Pope.
He will become the second spin option for England in the fourth test beside Adil Rashid.
Woakes had missed England’s training at The Ageas Bowl on Tuesday on account of a thigh issue, and the ECB had said that it would take a call on his fitness on Wednesday.
“Chris Woakes is not fit to play this week and Ben Stokes has a slight issue so for the balance of the side Moeen Ali comes in for Ollie Pope,” England captain Joe Root said on the eve of the Test. ”Jos Buttler is going to keep. It’s a lot to ask Jonny to do it with a broken finger, he’s fit to bat. We have to do the best thing for this team to win the game. There are no guarantees in international sport. We’ve bounced back from difficult defeats before and that’s the challenge for us to do it again here.”