Buttler, Leach return

England on Tuesday recalled left-arm spinner Jack Leach and wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler to the squad for the final Test against India as they seek to level the five-match series.

The hosts trail 2-1 after their 157-run defeat at the Oval ahead of Friday’s decider at Old Trafford but head coach Chris Silverwood has made only minor alterations to his squad.

Buttler missed the fourth Test to attend the arrival of his second child but is ready to return and, if he reclaims his place as vice-captain, there may only be room for one of Jonny Bairstow or Ollie Pope.

England squad: Joe Root (capt), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Rory Burns, Jos Buttler (wk), Sam Curran, Haseeb Hameed, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood – AFP