Nottingham: England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) selectors Thursday recalled batsman James Vince as a cover for injured wicketkeeper batsman Jonny Bairstow for the fourth Test, starting in Southampton August 30.
The 27-year-old Vince, last played for England in Christchurch in April against New Zealand and has of late been in excellent form in the domestic county championship. “The selection panel felt this was the right time to reintroduce James Vince to the Test squad. James will provide cover in case Jonny Bairstow’s fractured finger prevents him playing in the fourth Test match,” ECB national selector Ed Smith said in a statement.
In case, Bairstow fails to return to full fitness by the time, the fourth starts, Vince will be included in the playing XI with Jos Buttler donning the big gloves. Seamer Jamie Porter, who was part of the English squad for the first three Tests of the five-match rubber that England lead 2-1, has been dropped and will return to the squad in the event of an injury to a seam bowler.
Squad: Joe Root (C), Moeen Ali, Alastair Cook, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Keaton Jennings, Ollie Pope, Asil Rashid, Ben Stokes, James Vince and Chris Woakes.