England face uphill battle as they look to field first-choice team for Boxing Day Test

Broad and Archer still recovering from illness, Stokes uncertain for first Test against South Africa

PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - DECEMBER 23: England bowlers Jofra Archer (l) and Stuart Broad chat during an England nets session ahead of the First Test Match against South Africa at SuperSport Park on December 23, 2019 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
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England captain Joe Root has been forced to make "a very late call" on the playing XI for the first Test against South Africa which begins in Centurion on Thursday.

All-rounder Ben Stokes's father has been admitted to hospital in Johannesburg with his condition described as being "critical" by the England board. Also, seamer Chris Woakes is the latest victim of illness that has swept through the touring side, with fast bowlers Jofra Archer and Stuart Broad still recovering.

Root said that while the build-up to the four-match series has been frustrating, England are capable of fielding "a very competitive team".

While Woakes did not train on Tuesday because of illness, Root said Broad, Archer and spinner Jack Leach were making good progress.

"We will have to keep them monitored over the next couple of days and see how things go," Root said.

"It's been quite frustrating in many ways but we have to handle it and get on with it and make sure the guys who are selected are ready to go.

"We've got some very competitive players who are desperate to prove themselves. If they get an opportunity they will want to come out and put in a performance for England. We're going to have to make a very late call on our team."

Root did not speculate on the chances of Stokes being able to play.

"I think that's the most important thing. All the players and the squad just want to throw all our support behind him and stress how important it is that everybody respects their privacy at this time," the captain said.

If Stokes does not play, Jonny Bairstow is in line to come into the team. The wicketkeeper batsman was dropped for the recent tour of New Zealand but offers a wealth of experience and versatility.

Veteran seamer James Anderson’s return from injury, therefore, has come at the perfect time England ahead of the Boxing Day Test.

As things stand, Anderson, 37, is set to become the ninth cricketer to play 150 Tests, joining the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Steve Waugh. More importantly, Anderson will be making his return to the team for the first time since limping off with a calf injury at the start of the Ashes in August.

“He’s looking as good as I’ve ever seen him,” Root said of Anderson.

Anderson had arrived in the country ahead of the majority of the England squad to attend a fast bowlers’ camp, underlining his desire to get back into the team.

“It feels like a long time since I’ve played a competitive game so to get some overs was very pleasing,” the seamer said. “There was a bit of rust but that’s to be expected having not played for four or five months. I’m just happy to be back out there.”

Last month, Anderson said he wanted to play the next Ashes series, which will start at the end of 2021 in Australia. “I still want to do it, that’s part of the reason I worked so hard to get back,” added Anderson, who has 575 Test wickets.

“It’s something I love and I still feel I’ve got something to offer, so that hunger and desire to get back is still very much there.”

England coach Chris Silverwood said he was confident his pace bowlers will recover in time for the first Test at SuperSport Park, a typically quick South African track where the visitors could field an all-pace attack.

“They are exactly where we hoped they would be,” Silverwood said of his bowlers. “If we continue and have a couple of good days training, all being well they will be able to throw their hats in the ring for selection for that first Test.”