ENGLAND have suffered a major blow ahead of their Test series finale against India.

Captain Ben Stokes has been ruled out of the fifth Test after suffering a grade three shoulder tear during the fourth Test at Old Trafford.

Surrey’s Ollie Pope will captain the England team at his home ground – The Oval.

Stokes said on the decision to leave himself out: “It’s a decent tear of one of the muscles that I can’t pronounce.

“We took as long as we could to take the decision. I came down here to give myself a chance to play as a batter.

“Bowling was ruled out as soon as the scan results came.

“It was one of those, weighing up the risk and reward, and the risk was way too high if I damaged it further than it is.

“I wouldn’t expect to put any of my players to play with this kind of injury. I’m very disappointed.”

Fast bowlers Brydon Carse and Jofra Archer have also been left out to protect their fitness ahead of the Ashes in November, along with spinner Liam Dawson.

In their place, Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue and Jamie Overton step into the side, while Jacob Bethell will replace Stokes in the batting line-up.

The Test has taken on added meaning after a number of controversies over the past week.

England lead the series 2-1 after India comfortably batted out a draw when things looked to be going against them at Old Trafford.

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