The England media’s reaction to the announcement of the Test squad for the first Test against India at Leeds said much. Be it The Times, London or The Guardian, or even the tabloids, they all led with the news that Jofra Archer was expected to be fit to play the second Test.
The bowling attack for the first Test looks thin with injuries to Archer, Mark Wood and Gus Atkinson – who has taken 55 wickets in 12 Tests – so much so that they have brought in 36-year old Chris Woakes, a good bowler in home conditions but one whose is battling a battered body and has restarted bowling just recently.
The injuries have almost balanced out the two teams, leaving an intriguing prospect on the cards for the first Test – and even beyond that. India won’t have Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma as they have retired, but it has to be noted that both struggled a lot in Test cricket on their final leg.
More than their batting, their presence, guidance, and energy will probably be missed more. India will also be without Mohammed Shami, but will take heart from England’s bowling line-up as it presents an untested and inexperienced Indian batting line-up with a decent opportunity to shine. At least better than if the main three English bowlers were present.
Two teams with a certain sense of iffiness and uncertainty would go against each other on June 20. England’s batting certainly seems to be their stronger suit, especially with the inclusion of the attacking Jacob Bethel and the return of attacking wicketkeeper-batsman Jamie Smith. It will be interesting to see if Ollie Pope, the vice-captain, plays or makes way for the 21-year old Bethel.
England’s bowling attack will be led by Brydon Carse and Woakes. James Overton, the 31-year old Surrey seamer thought to be a white-ball specialist, will make a comeback to Tests after three years. Even he is battling a broken finger and is in a race against time to get fit for Leeds. Both Carse and Woakes didn’t play the Test against Zimbabwe in May due to injuries.
Sam Cook, who has the ability to swing the ball, retains his place in the squad along with Josh Tongue. Shoaib Bashir is the lone spinner in the squad. The good news for England is that Ben Stokes has been bowling of late.
England’s choice of bowlers then brings up the question on the kind of pitches that India will face. The presence of Jasprit Bumrah looms large, and will play its part in the choice of pitches, if one is to believe English insiders. “Flat and Fast, but not seaming,” was how a source in the know put it. Though how fast it will be without live fresh grass remains to be seen.’
