England make one change for third India Test

England have included Mark Wood in their XI for the third Test against India in Rajkot, starting tomorrow.

With the five-match ICC World Test Championship series tied 1-1, England revealed their XI on the eve of the third Test against India in Rajkot, with Shoaib Bashir making way for Wood in the line-up.

Wood was the only pacer during England's victory in the first Test at Hyderabad but failed to pick up a wicket on a surface that was not conducive for his express pace. However, he has been brought back to partner James Anderson, who impressed with five wickets at Visakhapatnam last week. 

Rehan Ahmed was a doubt for the third Test after he faced visa issues on his return to India, following the team's mid-series break in Abu Dhabi. However, that issue has been resolved.

Captain Ben Stokes is set to make his 100th Test appearance in Rajkot.

On including Wood for Bashir, captain Ben Stokes said: "Taking a bit of knowledge from the last Test match we played here, albeit a long time ago, it was a pretty true, flat wicket.

"Looking at it today, it looks a bit platey but I think it's a good wicket. Bringing in an extra seamer this week is the option we've gone with because we think it's going to give us the best chance of winning this week."

England XI

Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes (c), Ben Foakes, Rehan Ahmed, Tom Hartley, Mark Wood, James Anderson

Schedule for remaining India vs England matches

3rd Test: February 15-19 (Thursday-Monday) - Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot

4th Test: February 23-27 (Friday-Tuesday) - JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi

5th Test: March 7-11 (Thursday-Monday) - Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala

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