Gary Ballance was sacrificed by England in the misfiring top order and replaced by Jonny Bairstow in the team for the third Ashes Test at Edgbaston next week.
Ballance, who has a career average of nearly 48, has averaged 16.75 in his last eight innings against Australia and New Zealand. He made 23 and 14 in the 405-run defeat in the second Ashes Test at lord’s and was the only change in the squad on Tuesday.
Despite scoring more runs, 98, in the series so far than Adam lyth, 50, or Ian Bell, 73, the latter two were spared. “Gary was naturally disappointed to miss out on this occasion, however we feel that he’ll benefit from some time in county cricket to rediscover his form,” England selector James Whitaker said in a statement.
Squad: Alastair Cook (captain), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Ian Bell, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Steven Finn, Adam lyth, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Mark Wood.
Rogers may play 3rd test
Australia will seek further specialist medical advice regarding the condition of Chris Rogers but do not believe the veteran opener has suffered “serious damage” after succumbing to a sudden bout of dizziness on the fourth day. Team doctor Peter Brukner said Rogers’s dizzy spell may have been a result of a delayed reaction to being struck on the helmet by Anderson.