England v India: Decision between Curran, Woakes and Wood for Oval Test

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Joe Root has named Moeen Ali (left), as vice-captain of the fourth Test.

England v India, fourth test of LV= Insurance Test. Venue: Kia Oval. Date: 2-6 Sept. Time: 11:00 BST. Coverage: In-play Highlights, Test Match Special commentary, and text coverage on BBC Sport's app and website. Today at the Test at 19.00 BST (BBC Four, September 3rd) and iPlayer

England is currently considering their options regarding the pace of the fourth Test against India at The Kia Oval. It will begin on Thursday.

Sam Curran may be dropped from the team that won the third test, with Chris Woakes (after returning from injury) and Mark Wood (after returning).

Moeen Ali was named England's vice captain, Jos Buttler being absent for the birth his second child.

With two matches remaining, the series is at 1-1.

Jonny Bairstow will take wicket for England in Buttler's absence. Ollie Pope will be the middle order.

India has added Prasidh Krsna to their pace bowling team, and may also choose to field Ravichandran Ashwin as an off-spinner for the first time in this series.

After the first Test was drawn, India won an exciting second Test at Lord's in the final hour. England responded with victory at Headingley by winning the match by an innings and scoring 76 runs.

Moeen said, "We're really good at getting back from behind." "Now, we have to perform at a level that will propel us forward.

"We believe we can do it. We have a chance if we can do it again like at Headingley.

Moeen (34), was only recalled to England for the second Test. However, skipper Joe Root stated that he was "absolutely right man" to take over as vice-captain.

Root stated, "Mo is a natural leader, someone the team gravitates towards,"

He's a brilliant cricket brain and has done amazing in domestic cricket. He's a great player and I am so excited for him."

Curran, a left-arm Surrey seamer, has only taken three wickets in this series. He is therefore vulnerable to losing out on his home ground.

Stuart Broad is out with a calf injury. Ollie Robinson has been named James Anderson's new-ball buddy. Both are available to play, unless England chooses rest and rotation.

Craig Overton impressed with six wickets at the match, his first Test in Headingley in two years.

Wood, 31, was injured in his shoulder while playing at Lord's. He missed the third Test. Although he is fully fit to play at The Oval bowling, throwing could prove problematic.

Woakes, 32 years old, has not played Tests in over a year due to a combination being restrained, injured, and at one stage being isolated after being deemed to have been a close contact with Moeen who contracted Covid last January.

Woakes is still recovering from a heel injury and has not played since July 1st. He has been playing a three-day second game for Warwickshire and a T20.

India's seamer Ishant Sharma was struggling at Headingley. But, Bharat Arun, the bowling coach, said that Krishna's inclusion in their squad wasn’t a surprise.

In each of their three first Tests, the tourists fielded four pace bowlers as frontline pace bowlers. Ravindra Jadeja was the only spinner.

Arun answered a question about whether they might include Ashwin, who holds 413 Test wickets.

It all depends on the conditions. Ashwin is without doubt one of the most skilled bowlers we have. It's a shame that he hasn't played yet.