England cricket team announces Playing XI for 5th 2019 Ashes Test vs Australia at The Oval

England cricket team announces Playing XI: The home team has announced a couple of changes for the fifth Test of the series.

England have announced their Playing XI for the fifth and last Test of the ongoing 2019 Ashes series against Australia at The Oval. Coming on the back of losing the fourth Test, England have made two big changes to their squad.

Batsman Jason Roy, who made his Test debut against Ireland earlier in the summer, has been dropped after a mediocre showing in the five Tests that he has played so far. Roy’s 187 Test runs have come at an average of 18.70 and a strike rate of 58.80 including a half-century.

Fast bowler Craig Overton, who featured in the last Test at Old Trafford, has also been benched for the last Test. In the 33.5 overs that Overton bowled in the match, he picked up a couple of wickets in the first innings.

England cricket team announces Playing XI for 5th 2019 Ashes Test vs Australia

The fast bowling all-rounder-pair of Chris Woakes and Sam Curran have made their way back into the English XI. In the first three Tests, Woakes had dismissed nine batsmen at an average of 29, an economy rate of 3.34 and a strike rate of 52. With Woakes contributing decently with the bat as well, him getting axed was a bit of a surprise.

Curran, who was part of the English XI for the one-off Test against Ireland, is yet to play an Ashes Test. The fact that he has replaced Roy in the squad means that the team management wants him to play a vital role with the bat as well.

England cricket team announces Playing XI – 1) Rory Burns 2) Joe Denly 3) Joe Root (c) 4) Ben Stokes 5) Jos Buttler 6) Jonny Bairstow (wk) 7) Sam Curran 8) Chris Woakes 9) Jofra Archer 10) Jack Leach 11) Stuart Broad

Currently 1-2 down in the series, England don’t have any chance of winning the Ashes. However, the hosts would be looking to win the last Test to at lease draw the series.