Footitt could make his Test debut on Thursday

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

England have called up the pace duo of Mark Footitt and Liam Plunkett for the fourth Ashes Test in Nottingham, which starts on Thursday.

Both Footitt and Plunkett were drafted into the side after pace spearhead James Anderson was ruled out of the fourth Test with a side strain, which he suffered on the second day of England’s eight-wicket win at Edgbaston

Unfortunately, there was no place in the side for Durham seamer Chris Rushworth, who had been widely tipped to receive his maiden international call-up.

Even though Footitt and Plunkett have been brought into the side, it is highly likely that Mark Wood, who missed the third Test due to an ankle injury, will take Anderson’s spot on the roster.

“With James Anderson missing this Test through injury and some concerns over Mark Wood’s workload in the build up to the last Test we felt that bringing in two extra bowlers in Liam Plunkett and Mark Footitt was necessary,” national selector James Whitaker said. “The reports on Wood are positive at this stage and we are hopeful he’ll be available for selection on Thursday.

“Congratulations to Liam and Mark Footitt on their selection and on behalf of the selectors I’d like to wish Alastair and Trevor all the very best for the fourth Test. The performance at Edgbaston this week was very encouraging and it is important we build on that next week at Trent Bridge.”

England Squad: Alastair Cook (capt), Moeen Ali, Jonathan Bairstow, Ian Bell, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler (wk), Steven Finn, Mark Footitt, Adam Lyth, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Mark Wood