London, July 30, 2025: England will be without star all-rounder and captain Ben Stokes for the fifth and final Test against India at The Oval, after he was ruled out with a biceps tendon injury.
In Stokes’ absence, Ollie Pope will lead the side — marking his fifth Test as captain.
The hosts have made four changes to the XI that drew the rain-affected fourth Test in Manchester. Jacob Bethell, Gus Atkinson, Jamie Overton, and Josh Tongue come into the squad, while Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse have been rested, and Liam Dawson has been dropped.
Stokes’ injury is a major blow for England. The 34-year-old had been in spectacular form, emerging as the leading wicket-taker in the series with 17 scalps, and notched his first Test century in two years during the Manchester Test — performances that earned him back-to-back Player of the Match awards.
Stokes had initially downplayed the extent of the injury after bowling 11 overs on the final day of the fourth Test, calling it “very unlikely” he would miss the series finale. However, subsequent scans revealed a grade three tear in his right arm, ruling him out of the match and raising concerns ahead of the Ashes series this winter.
Jacob Bethell, the 21-year-old all-rounder from Warwickshire, replaces Stokes in the middle order and is expected to shoulder primary spin duties alongside Joe Root. However, seamers are expected to play a larger role, with The Oval pitch showing a generous covering of grass during Tuesday’s inspection — a trend consistent with recent County Championship fixtures at the venue.
Gus Atkinson returns to the side after recovering from a hamstring injury that sidelined him since May. He proved his fitness playing for Surrey’s second XI. Jamie Overton, set for just his second Test and first since 2022, and Josh Tongue, who was rotated out in the third and fourth Tests, bolster a pace-heavy attack led by Chris Woakes.
The final Test begins Thursday at The Oval, with India leading the five-match series 2-1.
