England add Overton to squad for final India Test

For the crucial fifth Test against India at The Oval, England have added fast-bowling all-rounder Jamie Overton to their lineup.

Overton gives a pace attack more depth and cover than the fourth Test at Old Trafford had.

In the final two days of India’s draw in Manchester, England used 143 overs, and captain Ben Stokes warned his team might need “fresh legs” for the series finale.

Jofra Archer has appeared in two Tests since returning from a four-year injury layover, while Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse have appeared in all four of them.

Stokes himself experienced a number of injuries during the fourth Test, but he said it was “very unlikely” that he would miss out at The Oval, where England must win the series to avoid suffering.

Between tests, there is a quick turnaround. The final game of the season will take place on Thursday in Manchester, with England still present late on Sunday evening.

Gus Atkinson and Josh Tongue are the other pace bowlers in the England squad, along with Overton, who won his only Test cap in 2022.

All three will need to play in the XI for the final Test, it is not out of the question.

Overton, 31, has only played one first-class game since May, partly because he injured his finger while representing England in a one-day international against West Indies the same month.

Atkinson took 52 wickets in his debut Test game against Australia in 2024, despite having a frustrating summer.

The 27-year-old hasn’t played first-class cricket in more than two months because of a hamstring injury sustained in the one-off Test against Zimbabwe.

Two days before the fourth Test, Atkinson had a fitness examination at Old Trafford following an amateur game he played for club side Spencer.

He was released to Surrey, where he played in the second XI last week because England thought he was too risky.

Tongue, 27, took 11 wickets in the series opener against India in the first two Tests.