England announced their playing XI on Wednesday for the first Test against India, with veteran fast bowler Chris Woakes’s hosts to return to the hosts. Oli Pope has been preferred in place of Jacob Bethel.
Vox, who is out of the last two Tests due to an ankle injury, has been included in the team instead of Sam Cook, while Bridan Cars have been replaced by Kirsh Atkinson which is out of Hamstrings.
Vokes was included at number eight, keeping the strong batting line up and decided to launch Jamie Smith as expert wicketkeeper batsman at number seven.
The hosts prioritized the experience and placed vice -captain Oli Pope at number three and dropped 21 -year -old Bethel. Team India, led by Shubman Gill, has not yet announced its playing XI.
England’s playing 11 for the first Test against India
Jack Cruli, Ben Docket, Oli Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (Captain), Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Chris Woakes, Bridan Cars, Josh Tung and Shoaib Bashir.