England names unchanged squad for third Test against South Africa

England has named an unchanged 14-man squad for the deciding Test against South Africa at the Oval.

The three-match series is tied 1-1. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

England named an unchanged 14-man squad on Wednesday for next week’s third and deciding Test against South Africa at the Oval.

The host levelled the series at 1-1 with a dominant innings and 85-run win inside three days in the second Test at Old Trafford. Captain Ben Stokes scored 103 - his first Test century as skipper - and wicketkeeper Ben Foakes 113 not out.

England’s victory followed South Africa’s almost as crushing innings and 12-run win in the first Test at Lord’s. That is the only defeat England has suffered while winning all the other five of its six matches since Stokes replaced Joe Root as permanent red-ball captain at the start of the season.

Barring late injuries and the fact that the team has not added a second specialist spinner to its squad in addition to Somerset left-armer Jack Leach, it now looks likely England will deploy the same XI that won in Manchester when the third Test at the Oval in south London starts on Thursday, September 8.

That would leave uncapped batsman Harry Brook still waiting for his Test debut.

Pacemen Craig Overton and Matthew Potts will struggle to force their way into a seam attack where Ollie Robinson marked his return to Test cricket with match figures of 5 for 91 at Old Trafford.

England squad

Zak Crawley (Kent), Alex Lees (Durham), Ollie Pope (Surrey), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire), Ben Stokes (Durham, capt), Ben Foakes (Surrey, wkt), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Jack Leach (Somerset), Ollie Robinson (Sussex), James Anderson (Lancashire), Harry Brook (Yorkshire), Craig Overton (Somerset), Matthew Potts (Durham).