IND vs ENG: Speedster Mark Wood returns as England announce playing XI for 5th test

Mark Wood replaces Ollie Robinson in England’s playing XI for the fifth test vs India.

England have named their playing XI for the crucial fifth and final test against India, starting from 7th March at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamshala. The English side have made only one change to their playing XI. Pacer Mark Wood is set to return to the playing XI. Wood will replace right-arm speedster Ollie Robinson, who played the fourth test match in Ranchi.

The decision to drop Ollie Robinson reflects England’s desire to exploit any potential swing or seam movement available in the Dharamshala pitch. James Anderson, England’s evergreen swing bowler, will partner Wood, forming a potent opening attack which is capable of troubling the Indian batters early on.

In the first Test in Hyderabad, Wood failed to pick a wicket in both innings. The right-arm pacer then missed the second match in Vizag. However, he featured during the third test in Rajkot, where he was wicket-less in the second innings after picking a four-wicket haul in the first.

The spin department remains unchanged, with the exciting young off-spinner Shoaib Bashir retaining his place alongside Joe Root and Tom Hartley. The rest of the batting lineup remains the same, with Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett expected to lead the charge along with Ollie Pope and Joe Root.

After losing the last three tests in Vizag, Rajkot and Ranchi, England are trailing 3-1 in the five-match test series against India.

England Playing XI for fifth test vs India

Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes (c), Ben Foakes (wk), Tom Hartley, Mark Wood, James Anderson, Shoaib Bashir.

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