India vs England | Ben Stokes replaces Sam Curran for third Test at Trent Bridge
England have recalled all rounder Ben Stokes to the Playing XI for the third Test against India at Trent Bridge to replace bowler Sam Curran. Stokes, who was recently cleared by a Bristol court for an affray charge, had missed the second match where he had been replaced by Chris Woakes.
Despite an impressive performance in the first Test of the five match series, Stokes was dropped for the Lord's Test because of a clash of dates with his trial and was replaced by Chris Woakes. It proved to be a blessing in disguise for the England team as the latter was brilliant both with the bat and the ball. He scored a brilliant maiden Test century in the first innings helping the hosts to put up a big total. His bowling performance was not far behind as he managed to pick four crucial wickets including the wicket of Virat Kohli in the first innings.
Things became difficult for the selectors after Stokes was proven to be not-guilty after the second Test match. The dilemma of selection for the next Test created a buzz around the team as it was a difficult decision considering the recent performances by the English all-rounders.
Finally, the selectors decided to drop the 20-year-old Sam Curran, who was England’s man-of-the-match in their 31-run win in the first Test at Edgbaston, in order to bring in their premier all-rounder Stokes.
England XI : Alastair Cook, Keaton Jennings, Joe Root (captain), Ollie Pope, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid, Stuart Broad, James Anderson.
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