Veteran pacer James Anderson has been rested for the second Test against India, with Stuart Broad replacing him as England announced their 12-man squad on Friday. The visitors have made a total of four changes to their squad for the second Test in Chennai, with Jofra Archer, Dom Bess and Jos Buttler also making way for Moeen Ali, Olly Stone and Ben Foakes.

Jofra Archer has been ruled out of the Test due to an elbow injury with one of either 27-year-old paceman Stone, who played his only Test against Ireland in July 2019, or bowling all-rounder Chris Woakes set to partner Broad, AFP reported. 

Wicketkeeper-batsman Foakes has also been drafted in to replace Jos Buttler, who returned home after the conclusion of the first Test as part of England’s ‘rest and rotate’ policy. 

“(Stone) is certainly looking very good in and around training. With a lot of players in the current time that they are in, they have to make the most of the little chances we get to play,” English skipper Joe Root said during a virtual presser on the eve of the Test. 

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“Stone has a big heart, huge amount of skill and pace as well, and will give variety within the attack if he gets the opportunity to play,” Root said. 

The skipper said they will decide on who to pick between Woakes and Stone after looking at the pitch. 

Ali, who missed England’s 2-0 whitewash of Sri Lanka because of a positive COVID-19 test, has been picked ahead of fellow spinner Dom Bess. The 22-year-old off spinner claimed five wickets in the 227-run win over the hosts in the first Test.

“Wasn’t an easy decision, Dom’s contributed fantastically well in these three games (two in Sri Lanka), he has made a real impact,” Root said. 

“He is young and this doesn’t mean that he is getting a big push back down the pecking order. It gives him an opportunity to step away from Test cricket and work at his game.

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“It gives Moeen a great opportunity to come back into things with all of his experience and someone whose bowling extremely well in and around practice.”

Root said resting Anderson, also a key figure in the opening Test, gives them the opportunity to get the veteran paceman back for the final two Tests in Ahmedabad.

“Everyone’s heart was in favour of him being available for this game, but also you look at the bigger picture,” said Root.

“And ideally if he is available for two of the last three that’s a huge asset for us as a team.”

England have previously also rotated their fast bowlers with either the 38-year-old Anderson or Broad being picked for a Test. The duo have claimed 1128 Test wickets between them.

Root said Archer should be able to get himself “fit and ready” for the third Test – a day-night affair – starting February 24.

England’s 12-man squad: Joe Root (captain), Rory Burns, Dominic Sibley, Daniel Lawrence, Ben Stokes, Ben Foakes, Ollie Pope, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Jack Leach, Olly Stone, Stuart Broad.