England squad hit by a stomach bug

ENGLAND have had to take precautionary measures to prevent an outbreak of sickness as they head into the fifth and final Test against India.

- DAVID CHARLESWORTH

Young off-spinner Shoaib Bashir and seamer Ollie Robinson woke up yesterday morning feeling under the weather, so the pair missed the afternoon’s practice and were separated from the rest of the team.

While Robinson has been replaced by Mark Wood as England try to salvage a consolation win in the final match in Dharamsala, which started today, Bashir was retained as one of two spinners alongside slow left-armer Tom Hartley.

Ben Stokes doubted a late change will be necessary, even if two umpires stopping at the team hotel are also unwell.

Illness to on-field official Joel Wilson and TV umpire Kumar Dharmasena might lead to fourth umpire Jayaraman Madanagopal being on standby for duties in the middle.

“I don’t think it’s anything to be too concerned about,” said the England captain, whose side trail 3-1 in the five-match series.