Former England skipper Michael Atherton has backed England’s decision to play Mark Wood in the third Test at Rajkot, as he feels, that would give more support to the visitors in the bowling department. Meanwhile, Skipper Ben Stokes had also thrown his weight behind Wood.
While agreeing to this decision, Atherton said on Sky Sports, “They slightly changed the balance of the side bringing in the extra seamer, which I think is the right thing to do. It makes England less vulnerable at the toss. If the coin goes against them, it gives them a little bit more of firepower in the attack. They still got plenty of spin options as well. So I think it is a better-balanced side for the conditions.”
He went on to say, how it might actually go on to help James Anderson. “He’s an incredible cricketer. Had a difficult summer, but he is 41 years of age now. So, he is no spring chicken. He bowled brilliantly in the last Test match. He will have a lot more support with Mark Wood here in this game. Wood himself played as a lone seamer in the last game.”
“It’s an advantage for both of them that they have each other to lean on and have little bit more support in the seam department,” said Atherton.
England playing XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes (C), Ben Foakes, Rehan Ahmed, Tom Hartley, Mark Wood, James Anderson.
