LONDON, June 30 (AFP): England have recalled fast bowler James Anderson for the delayed fifth Test against India at Edgbaston on Friday.
Anderson missed the conclusion of England's series whitewash of New Zealand when an ankle injury ruled him out of the third Test at Headingley.
But the 39-year-old, England's all-time record Test wicket taker, will return to the side against India even though replacement Jamie Overton scored 97 on his debut in Leeds.
"Jamie got his opportunity to show what you can do in a cricket field and he gave the best account possible of himself," England captain Ben Stokes told a pre-match news conference at Edgbaston on Thursday.
"He's obviously someone that we see has a bright and long future for him going forward.
"It obviously must be very disappointing for him. That's how sport at the top level can work sometimes."
In another change to an England team announced almost 24 hours ahead of the toss, Sam Billings will take over as wicketkeeper.
Billings was called up at short notice during the New Zealand series finale for his second Test appearance as a Covid-19 substitute for first-choice gloveman Ben Foakes, who was also hampered by a stiff back at Headingley.
"Unfortunately Foakesy hasn't recovered as well as we'd have liked him to. So Sam is going to stay in the team," Stokes said.
"(Foakes) hasn't really recovered from last week and doesn't feel like he could give the best account of himself this week. We took the decision out of his hands and said 'get yourself better'."
England could have handed the gloves to Jonny Bairstow, an experienced wicketkeeper at Test level, and given a debut to Yorkshire batsman Harry Brook.
But, with Bairstow having scored 136 in the second Test against New Zealand and 162 in the series finale, the captain was keen for him to remain a specialist batsman.
"Jonny is in the form of his life at the moment," said Stokes. "We just want Jonny to concentrate on batting, because however he's thinking is working."
Friday's match should have been played in Manchester last September but, hours before it was due to start at Old Trafford, it was postponed because of Covid-19 concerns in the India camp.
India, who lead the five-match series 2-1, are now waiting on the availability of Covid-hit captain Rohit Sharma, who has been in isolation since testing positive last week.
The tourists, however, are not obliged to announce their side until Friday's 10:00am local (0900 GMT) toss.
India will face a rejuvenated England, who under their new leadership duo of Stokes and red-ball head coach Brendon McCullum swept the Black Caps 3-0 after winning just one of their previous 17 Tests.
Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah will captain India in Friday's delayed fifth Test against England, after regular skipper Rohit Sharma was ruled out with Covid-19, it was announced Thursday.
India had given Rohit a chance to return a negative test but the opener will be unavailable, with fast bowler Bumrah leading the team instead at Edgbaston.
A Board of Control for Cricket in India statement added wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant would be the vice-captain.
