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Ben Stokes out of fifth Test: England make four changes for pivotal India clash as captain absent through injury

England captain Ben Stokes will not feature in the fifth Test against India at The Oval with the home side making as many as four changes.

England captain Ben Stokes has been ruled out of the fifth Test match with India due to injury.

Stokes earned the Player of the Match award in the fourth Test last week after taking five wickets and hitting a century during the first innings.

However, the 34-year-old visibly struggled fitness-wise as the match progressed, cramping up with the bat and having a shoulder issue while bowling.

Despite putting himself through the pain barrier and insisting several days ago that he remained likely to play at The Oval, it has been revealed that he is absent from the starting XI for the upcoming pivotal contest.

As a result, Ollie Pope will replace him as captain, and there have been a total of four alterations made to the team.

Gus Atkinson of England looks on during the England v Sri Lanka 2nd Rothesay Test Match on August 31, 2024

England make four changes for India fifth Test

Stokes is joined on the sidelines by Liam Dawson, Brydon Carse and Jorfa Archer, the latter not being risked having played two successive matches on his comeback to the five-day arena.

Carse has also been involved in all four Tests, the decision being taken to show preference to fresh bodies over sticking with a tiring attack.

As a result, England will line up with three new fast bowlers at the bottom of their lineup, Gus Atkinson, Jamie Overton and Josh Tongue stepping up in the aforementioned trios places.

Twenty-one-year-old Jacob Bethall comes into the team at number six for just his fourth Test match, expectations high after he averaged 52 over three Test matches in New Zealand at the back end of 2024.

He also offers a left-arm spin option as England rarely line up without an out-and-out spin bowler.

England go into the final match holding a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five series.

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