Ben Stokes will return to the England side at Trent Bridge, replacing Sam Curran from the XI that won the second Test, Joe Root has confirmed.

Stokes, who was added to the squad on the conclusion of his trial for affray so that the team management could assess his mental and physical readiness, returns as the only change to the team that hammered India at Lord’s.

“Ben is desperate to get back playing cricket,” Root said. “He’s desperate to get out there, put in performances and concentrate on his cricket now. He feels ready to play.”

Sam Curran finds himself dropped two games after a man-of-the-match display at Edgbaston that saw him take five wicket sand score 83 runs – which he followed up with another good bowling display and 40 runs at Lord’s.

“It was one of the most difficult decisions I’ve had to make as captain,” Root said. “It’s about us as a squad delivering over five games and on this occasion Sam is unfortunate to miss out.

Chris Woakes, having made a century and taken four wickets at Lord’s, keeps his place.

England XI at Trent Bridge

Alastair Cook
Keaton Jennings
Joe Root (c)
Ollie Pope
Jonny Bairstow (wk)
Ben Stokes
Jos Buttler
Chris Woakes
Adil Rashid
Stuart Broad
James Anderson