Three Wisden writers pick their preferred seam attack for England’s fourth Test against India, which starts at the Oval on Thursday, September 2.

The return of Chris Woakes and Mark Wood to the England squad brings about the potential for change ahead of the fourth Test against India.

With Moeen Ali now balancing the side as an all-rounder at seven, England are set to pick four of James Anderson, Sam Curran, Craig Overton, Ollie Robinson, Chris Woakes or Mark Wood and leave two out.

Several questions remain over what the make-up of England’s seam quartet will be: Will Curran will keep his place following a reasonably fruitless start to the series? Is Woakes fit enough to return straight to the Test side? Do one, or both, of Anderson or Robinson require resting? And does Wood come straight back following his shoulder injury?

Three Wisden writers have their say.

Jo Harman, WCM magazine editor

Craig Overton, Ollie Robinson, Mark Wood, James Anderson

Joe Root gave a robust defence of Sam Curran following the win at Headingley, saying he felt there was a special performance just around the corner from the Surrey all-rounder, but it’s hard to see what he’s offering at the moment. Curran hasn’t hit a half-century for nearly three years (or 27 innings) and his overall bowling average of 35.51 isn’t close to what you’d want from a frontline seamer, particularly given he’s played most of his 24 Test matches in conditions which should suit him.

With Craig Overton impressing at Leeds and offering useful lower-order runs, Curran’s value is further diminished, leaving it a straight shootout between Mark Wood and Chris Woakes to replace him. In home conditions, I’d usually opt for Woakes, whose record in England – where he averages 23 with the ball and 35 with the bat – is superb, but it feels a lot to ask him to return for a crucial Test match with so few overs under his belt. He’s not bowled a red ball in anger since August last year. And so Wood, assuming he’s fully fit, is recalled, having produced arguably his best performance in a home Test in the defeat at Lord’s before injuring his shoulder. His speed, in combination with the guile and consistency of Anderson, Robinson and Overton, should ask plenty of questions of India’s faltering batting line-up.

Yas Rana, Wisden.com head of content

Craig Overton, Ollie Robinson, Mark Wood, James Anderson

Overton’s impressive comeback performance at Leeds is rewarded with another Test in the side. Too often this summer there has been a noticeable drop-off in the pressure put on opposition batsmen when Robinson and Anderson have been taken off, and Overton ensured that this wasn’t the case at Leeds, bowling an unrelenting line and length that kept asking questions of the Indian batsmen. With Overton at eight and Robinson at nine, there are no major concerns about the length of the tail – Sam Curran misses out after three ineffective Tests.

Woakes has played so little cricket recently that I’d be reluctant to throw him in ahead of the four quicks I’ve picked, all of whom have bowled well at various points in the series. If one of Anderson or Robinson is in need of a rest, Woakes would be the replacement I’d go for.

Cameron Ponsonby, Wisden.com writer

Chris Woakes, Craig Overton, Ollie Robinson, James Anderson

I’ve chosen Woakes to come in for Sam Curran in what is a straight swap at No.8. Sam Curran’s stock feels quite low at the moment. Whilst his reputation as a fierce competitor has remained, the idea that he “makes things happen” has been blunted with only three wickets across the first three matches of the series. Woakes is the superior bowler of the two and able to offer the same, if not more, with the bat so comes straight in.

I don’t think lack of match practice is a concern for me with Woakes. Realistically, if not now, when? If England were confident of his fitness, but not his match sharpness, then surely he’d currently be bowling for Warwickshire in order to tick that box as well? If you don’t pick him this week because of a lack of match practice then you also can’t pick him next week as the same problem remains.

However, if it’s decided that Woakes isn’t fully fit, then my choice would be to bring Wood in for Curran and push Overton up to eight in the order. England are well stocked in bowlers capable with the bat and improving the bowling attack at the expense of shifting Overton and Robinson up one slot each to eight and nine would be my personal choice.

In terms of resting Robinson or Anderson? No. If they’re fit enough to still be England’s best two bowlers then they have to play. If they’re knackered and would be rubbish as a result, then rest them and bring someone else in.