England have announced the squad for the rescheduled fifth Test against India

 

England have announced the squad for the rescheduled fifth Test against India that is set to be played from July 1 in Birmingham. The selectors have decided to keep faith in the same squad that whitewashed New Zealand in the three-match Test series. The hosts chased down 296 runs on the final day without much fuss thanks to half-centuries from Joe Root, Ollie Pope and Jonny Bairstow who smashed 71* off just 44 deliveries.

Meanwhile, Sam Billings has managed to keep his place in the squad who played the third and final Test against the Kiwis as a COVID substitute for Ben Foakes who contracted the virus during the game. Billings wasn’t needed to bat in the second innings and his major contribution was the catch he took to dismiss Neil Wagner off Jack Leach.

Foakes is still a doubt for the Test match against India. His five-day isolation will only end one day before the game begins. It remains to be seen if the home side will risk playing him in the XI directly. There is also a chance of England preferring Billings who is only two Tests old.