Wood, Woakes available for Oval Test, Buttler's paternity leave may open door for Ollie Pope

England get a shot in the arm as pacer Mark Wood, who injured his shoulder in the Lord’s Test and Chris Woakes, who has missed the series so far are likely to be available for the fourth Test starting on September 2 at the Oval. However, they will miss the services of Jos Buttler possibly from the entire remaining part of the series.

As per a BBC Sport report, Wood has recovered from the shoulder injury that ruled him out of the Leeds Test while Woakes has completed his rehabilitation process after suffering a heel injury.

Buttler, who is expecting his second child anytime soon could well miss at least one, if not both the remaining Tests of the series. He also has not had a great run with the bat so far in the series and his absence could open the door for Ollie Pope in the middle order while Jonny Bairstow would take up the wicketkeeper’s role.

It would be interesting to see if England would be willing to risk James Anderson either by playing for a fourth consecutive Test or giving him rest at the Oval with the return of Woakes. England could also drop Sam Curran, who has not best time with the bat for Mark Wood and bank on Woakes and Overton to provide impetus with the bat lower down the order.