ENG vs IND: England's Jos Buttler To Miss Fourth Test Against India For Birth Of Second Child

England wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler will miss next week's fourth Test against India at the Oval because of the expected birth of his second child, but Chris Woakes has been passed fit to rejo

Pace-bowling all-rounder Woakes has not played a Test for over a year, largely due to fitness problems, but has been recalled after recovering from a recent heel problem. "We would like to wish Jos and his family all the very best for the impending birth of their second child," said England coach Chris Silverwood on Sunday.

"Unfortunately, he will miss this Test, and we'll then see if he returns for the final Test at Emirates Old Trafford."
Silverwood, now also in charge of selecting the team, added: "Jonny Bairstow will take over wicketkeeping duties, which he is relishing. As we all know, he has the skills to seamlessly take over from Jos and the ability to score crucial runs in the middle-order if called upon."

Meanwhile, Silverwood welcomed Woakes back by saying: "It is very pleasing that we have Chris returning to the Test squad.

"He has bowled well over the past week with Warwickshire without any real concerns with his heel injury. "He is an asset we have been missing both with the ball and his ability to score runs in the middle order. We are looking forward to seeing him prepare at the Oval as we go into back-to-back Tests."

Fast bowler Mark Wood, who didn't play at Headingley after suffering a shoulder injury while fielding during India's 151-run win in the second Test at Lord's, has kept his place in the squad.

"Mark Wood is making excellent recovery from his jarred right shoulder," said Silverwood, himself a former England paceman. "It is pleasing to have several options with our bowling stocks as we approach the latter stages of the series."

England squad for the fourth Test against India at the Oval, September 2-6:

Rory Burns, Haseeb Hameed, Dawid Malan, Joe Root (capt), Dan Lawrence, Jonny Bairstow (wkt), Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Craig Overton, Ollie Robinson, James Anderson, Ollie Pope, Sam Billings, Mark Wood, Chris Woakes