England call up Plunkett and Footitt for fourth test

England 14-man squad for fourth Test: Alastair Cook (capt), Adam Lyth, Ian Bell, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, Moeen Ali, Stuart Broad, Mark Wood, Steve Finn, Liam Plunkett, Mark Footitt, Adil Rashid.

Mark Wood, who picked up an ankle injury which ruled him out for the third Test, is part of the squad and is expected to replace Anderson for the fourth Test. This is the only change expected for the Trent Bridge Test, unless Wood remains an injury concern for England.

Footitt (29) has taken 225 first-class wickets at 25.22 since joining Derbyshire in 2010 and knows Trent Bridge from his time with Nottinghamshire. Plunkett’s last Test appearance for England came against India last summer.

“The reports on Wood are positive at this stage and we are hopeful he’ll be available for selection on Thursday”, Whitaker added.

Trevor Bayliss, England’s recently-installed Australian coach, said: “The way the boys are playing at the moment is very good. Obviously the challenge is to play as well two games in a row”, he said.

England’s win at Edgbaston was all the more impressive given their mammoth 405-run loss to Australia in the second Test at Lord’s.

“If you do that you’re able to move forward, and they showed what they’re capable of”.

England also have Durham fast bowler Mark Wood in their squad. Footitt however has a great record at Trent Bridge, taking 16 wickets at an average of 27.37with a best bowling of 5-45.

The England and Wales Cricket Board announced the squad on Saturday, a day after England beat Australia by eight wickets with two days to spare at Edgbaston in the third Test. Steven Finn made a triumphant return to test cricket with match figures of 8-117.

“But there’s one or two other guys who’ve been mentioned in dispatches around the squad since I’ve been here”. “Those guys will be spoken about and get the first opportunity if needed”.