'We're professional players and injuries...': Ben Stokes breaks silence on workload management after missing 5th Test vs India

England captain Ben Stokes, who missed the fourth Test match against India after getting a shoulder injury, believes that they are professional players and injuries are part of the game. Skipper Stokes, who played a crucial role with his all-round performance, was seen disappointed after he failed to get fit before the last Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025.

When asked about the workload management, Stokes said that he always wants to give everything while on the field and winning means a lot to him.

"When we're on the field, we're there to win and we give everything we have. This is how much the team means to me and how much a win means to me and there's nothing less than I could have done. We're professional players and injuries are part of the game," said Ben Stokes in pre-match conference.

England have already announced their playing XI for the fifth Test match, which is scheduled to take place from July 31 to August 1. The hosts will feature with four changes in the last Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025. Ben Stokes, Liam Dawson, speedster Jofra Archer, and Brydon Carse are out from the playing XI and the ECB named Jacob Bethell, Gus Atkinson and Jamie Overton in their playing XI for the Oval Test. In the absence of a regular skipper, Ollie Pope will lead the side at The Oval in London.

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"Captain Ben Stokes is unavailable due to a right shoulder injury. Also missing out are spinner Liam Dawson and pace bowlers Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse.

"England have included Jacob Bethell, who will bat at No.6. Surrey bowlers Gus Atkinson and Jamie Overton come into the side, along with Nottinghamshire quick Josh Tongue," the ECB said.

England are currently leading 2-1 in the five-Test match series, and the upcoming Test will be the last chance for the Shubman Gill-led side to draw the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025.

England Playing XI for 5th Test: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope (c), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jacob Bethell, Jamie Smith, Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Jamie Overton, Josh Tongue.