ENG vs IND: Skipper Joe Root Weighs England 'Balancing Act'

Joe Root admits he faces a "balancing act" as England's captain tries to avoid burning out his in-form bowling attack in the fourth Test against India. There are concerns over the workloads of pac

Chris Woakes is back in the squad and pushing for a long-awaited return to the red-ball side. Should the Woakes make the team, it would mark his first appearance since being named as England's Test player of the 2020 season.

"It's been an absolute nightmare for Woakesy. Whether it's Covid that's kept him out - being a close contact - or a freak injury coming down the stairs, it feels like he's not played a huge amount of cricket," Root said. "But when he has played he's been as good as ever. He was our best player last year.

"The white-ball stuff that's he's played has been exceptional, getting it to move all over the place, so to have him back around things is great." England will make one enforced change to their winning formula, with Jos Buttler having left the squad in preparation for the birth of his second child.

Jonny Bairstow will take over as wicketkeeper, with a vacant batting spot going to Ollie Pope or Dan Lawrence. "It's an interesting one. They are two wonderful players who offer a huge amount to English cricket," Root said.