The hosts England have made a change to their playing XI from the third Test match with Craig Overton coming in place of all-rounder Chris Woakes. Craig Overton had made his Test debut in the 2017-18 Ashes series in Australia where he scalped the big wicket of Steven Smith, which was his maiden Test wicket.
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Overton was able to win the selection race against Chris Woakes and Sam Curran after the former had struggled for the impetus in the previous Test match at Headingley. Woakes has scalped nine wickets in the series at an average of 29 but he has struggled with the control. The swing bowler has conceded his runs at an economy rate of 3.34.
Overton makes the cut in the last XI.
The lanky fast bowler, Overton has taken 32 wickets in the ongoing County Championship at an impressive average of 21.32. Thus, Craig Overton will look to continue the good show going when he plays the fourth Test match against Australia. However, the Somerset fast bowler has played only a solitary first-class match in the last six weeks as Vitality T20 Blast has dominated the County schedule.
Meanwhile, Craig Overton was added to England’s Ashes squad after their veteran seamer James Anderson was ruled out with a calf injury. Hence, Overton has big shoes to fill in for the home side.
Furthermore, England skipper Joe Root also confirmed that Joe Denly will open the innings with Rory Burns. Jason Roy who has struggled against the new ball is demoted to number four in the batting order.
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The series is tied 1-1 after Ben Stokes had played a miraculous knock of 135 runs to keep England’s Ashes hopes alive. The fourth Test match will be played at Old Trafford, Manchester from September 4. England would look to make the most of the momentum whereas Australia will aim to make a stronger comeback.