England vs India: Anticipation Grows for Final Test at The Oval

England's Expectations for the Final Test

As the fifth and concluding Test against India approaches, England's captain Ben Stokes has noted that the pitch at The Oval features more live grass than previous surfaces in the series, suggesting it may offer greater support for seam bowlers.

Scheduled to commence on Thursday, this decisive match sees England leading the series 2-1, aiming to secure a series victory. Conversely, Team India, buoyed by a resilient draw in Manchester, enters the match with renewed confidence and hopes to level the series.

Tribute to Graham Thorpe

On August 1, the second day of the Test will honor the late Graham Thorpe, a former English cricketer who tragically passed away by suicide last year at the age of 55 after battling severe depression and anxiety. Thorpe, who debuted internationally in 1993, was a key player for England during the late 90s and early 2000s, amassing 6,744 runs in 100 Tests, including 16 centuries.

In his memory, 'A Day for Thorpey' will be held to raise funds for the mental health charity Mind, featuring the sale of limited-edition headbands designed in collaboration with Thorpe's family.

Stokes Reflects on Thorpe's Impact

Stokes expressed that Thorpe's influence as both a player and a coach has left a lasting mark on English cricket, particularly on current players like himself and Joe Root. He emphasized the significance of the day for fans and Thorpe's family, highlighting the emotional weight of honoring a cricketing great.

England's Lineup

The England team for the match includes: 1. Zak Crawley, 2. Ben Duckett, 3. Ollie Pope (captain), 4. Joe Root, 5. Harry Brook, 6. Jacob Bethell, 7. Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), 8. Chris Woakes, 9. Gus Atkinson, 10. Jamie Overton, 11. Josh Tongue.