The England Cricket Team has released their Playing XI for the IND vs ENG Ranchi Test. Spinner Shoaib Bashir comes on to replace Rehan Ahmed. On the other hand, Ollie Robinson replaces Mark Wood. In the pre-match Press conference, England skipper Ben Stokes has revealed why he chose Bashir over Rehan.
Attending the pre match press conference, Ben Stokes has explained the team’s decision to bench Rehan Ahmed. England has gone with with 2 spinners, Tom Hartley and Shoaib Bashir. Joe Root will slot in as the 3rd spinner. Ollie Robinson and James Anderson are the two pacers. There are however doubts, whether Stokes will bowl or not.
“His (Shoaib Bashir’s) release point and height could make a difference,” claimed Ben Stokes at the pre match press conference.
“The skillset Bash has is his release point and how much bounce he can get. We looked at that wicket, we thought that Bash’s skillset will give us more of a chance than what Rehan has got. That’s obviously not any disrespect to what Rehan has, it’s just how we pick our team, based on what we will think of giving us the best chance to win a Test,” Stokes added.
Stokes explained how the release point and the height difference of Bashir can work wonders at Ranchi for the Three Lions. With the series on the line, England will be ready to go all guns blazing at the hosts.