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England has chosen three spinners, one of whom is making their debut, for the upcoming match against India
England is taking a bold approach for their first Test in India by relying heavily on spin, introducing Tom Hartley for his debut alongside Jack Leach and Rehan Ahmed. In anticipation of significant turn, England has selected all three specialist slow bowlers, and Joe Root’s off-breaks will provide an additional option. Due to Captain Ben Stokes’ inability to bowl post-knee surgery, Mark Wood is the sole pace bowler, leading to the exclusion of the record-wicket taker James Anderson. This strategy showcases England’s confidence in Wood’s fitness despite his history of injury issues.
India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, has expressed sympathy for England’s Shoaib Bashir, who faced visa complications leading to a delay in his arrival for the Test series. Bashir, a British Muslim with Pakistani heritage, had challenges in getting his visa approved, forcing him to return to London from Abu Dhabi to resolve the issue, causing him to miss the first Test. Although the visa has now been granted, Bashir might join the Test squad by the weekend and be available for selection in the second Test starting on February 2. This delay isn’t unprecedented, with other players linked to Pakistan experiencing visa hold-ups in India. The Pakistan Cricket Board raised concerns with the International Cricket Council last year over visa delays for their World Cup squad. England’s captain, Ben Stokes, expressed his disappointment for the 20-year-old Bashir, and India’s skipper, Sharma, offered solidarity, acknowledging the challenges of visa processes.
England hasn’t fielded a trio of main spinners since their 3-0 victory over Sri Lanka in 2018, with Jack Leach playing a subordinate role to the more experienced Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid, while Ben Stokes served as an all-rounder. The team’s recent decision to rely on just one seamer, Mark Wood, marks a departure from their usual strategy, reflecting a continued commitment to innovation in the ‘Bazball’ era.
Within the team, this unconventional choice is not seen as a risky move but rather a response to the prevailing conditions. Captain Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum see it as a pragmatic approach to selecting the XI that offers the best chance of success, considering the pitch and circumstances.
Stokes emphasized the importance of adapting to the conditions in India and approaching the game with an open mind. He believes that the team’s ability to face challenges head-on and embrace opportunities is crucial, especially against a formidable opponent like India in their home conditions.
Stokes expressed confidence in the team’s willingness to confront challenges and emphasized the squad’s proactive approach, stating that they don’t shy away from any situation and are ready to tackle opportunities with determination.
Hartley is being considered for the Test despite having limited experience in red-ball cricket with Lancashire. Although he has participated in 82 T20 matches as opposed to only 20 first-class games, his selection was based on qualities identified months ago, such as his height, lively pace, and skiddy trajectory.
England believes that these attributes make him more suitable for a Test match in India compared to a standard County Championship pitch. However, as a 24-year-old, Hartley is still an untested prospect at the Test level.
Stokes expressed excitement about Hartley making his Test debut and looks forward to captaining him. Hartley has impressed during the build-up in Abu Dhabi, showcasing a challenging pace and natural variation in his bowling. According to Stokes, facing such variation can be particularly challenging in Indian conditions.
Ahmed earns his second Test cap, a year after becoming England’s youngest male Test cricketer in Karachi, where he secured a five-wicket haul in the second innings.
Despite being the sole pace bowler, Wood has been advised not to anticipate an extensive workload. Instead, he is encouraged to leverage his high-speed deliveries to make impactful contributions in short bursts.
Stokes highlighted Wood’s ability as an impact bowler due to his exceptional pace and outlined the strategy of utilizing him in brief, sharp spells. The emphasis is on maximizing his speed in short periods, without the need to consider extended bowling spells. Stokes emphasized this approach even before the team has bowled a single delivery.
