England are high on confidence after they defeated Australia in the third Test match of the Ashes series at Edgbaston in Birmingham and have taken a 2-1 series lead. But, England received a major blow in the Test as their premier bowler, James Anderson, suffered a side strain injury, which has ruled him out of the fourth Test at Trent Bridge.
Hence, the England and Wales Cricket Board have been forced to make changes in the team and they have included uncapped Mark Footitt and Liam Plunkett in the 14-man squad. Both the players took part of the training camp ahead of Ashes.
On all probability, Mark Wood should get the nod ahead of the duo -- Footitt and Plunkett -- as the English bowler has a good record at Trent Bridge. Taking in either Footitt or Plunket could prove to be a gamble.
Wood missed the third Test at Edgbaston due to an ankle injury and England's national selector, James Whitaker hopes that Woods is fit before the fourth Test match, which starts on 6 August.
"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. The reports on Wood are positive at this stage and we are hopeful he'll be available for selection on Thursday."
The selector also praised the team for their third Test performance and wants the team team to continue in the same vein at Trent Bridge.
"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."
Right after the third Test got over, there were talks regarding the form of opener, Adam Lyth, who has been below par in the series, but the selectors decided to stick with him as Alistair Cook's opening partner.
England are required to come up with another impressive performance as they can win the Ashes series with at Trent Bridge.
England 14-man squad for fourth Ashes Test
Alastair Cook (c), Adam Lyth, Ian Bell, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, , Jonathan Bairstow, Jos Buttler (wk), Moeen Ali, Steven Finn, Mark Wood, Stuart Broad, Adil Rashid, Liam Plunkett and Mark Footitt
