Veteran all-rounder Moeen Ali has been named as England's vice-captain for the fourth Test against India, starting on September 2 (Thursday) at The Oval.
On Wednesday, September 1, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced that Moeen will be Joe Root's deputy in the fourth Test against India as Jos Buttler will be missing the Oval encounter due to personal reasons. The ongoing five-match Test series is tied at 1-1 at the moment.
Buttler returned home as he and his wife are expecting their second child after England's innings and 76-run victory over Team India in the third Test at Headingley, Leeds.
In Buttler’s absence, Jonny Bairstow will take the gloves for England while Moeen will be England's vice-captain in the fourth Test against India.
ECB said in a statement on Wednesday: “All-rounder Moeen Ali has been named as England Test vice-captain for the fourth Test match against India at the Kia Oval starting on Thursday.”
Notably, the all-rounder returned to the England side for the second Test of the ongoing Test series against India and since then, he has scored 48 runs and taken four wickets in two games.
After the first Test ended in a draw at Trent Bridge, India won the second Test at Lord's by 151 runs while England made a stunning comeback in the third Test to level the series 1-1 with the fourth Test scheduled at The Oval from Thursday.
