Ben Stokes had shocked everyone by selecting Mark Wood over one of the greatest-ever bowlers, James Anderson. The move didn’t work out as well as the English management had hoped. Wood ended the match by bowling just 25 overs and failing to pick up a wicket.
On the paceless Hyderabad wicket, Wood’s pace was rendered useless against Indian batters. Although he proved to be economical, unlike his counterpart, Jasprit Bumrah, Wood couldn’t make full use of the reverse swing available.
The England cricket team won the match despite that unsuccessful selection. But will Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum change their playing XIs for the IND vs ENG 2nd Test?
James Anderson or Ollie Robinson to replace Mark Wood?
After seeing the Hyderabad pitch not offer much assistance with the new ball and lack of pace, it would be wise to select either James Anderson or Ollie Robinson for their superior skills. We have seen Mark Wood do well in foreign conditions, but the fast bowler has yet to prove himself on Asian pitches.
Meanwhile, Anderson impressed everyone on the previous England tour of India in 2021, bamboozling Ajinkya Rahane and Shubman Gill aplenty. The 41-year-old also bowled extremely well in Pakistan on their tour in 2022.
Robinson, much like Anderson, also did extremely well on the lifeless wickets of Pakistan and was even handed the ‘man of the match’ award in the opening match of the series.
One also has to remember that Wood has had his fair share of injuries, and playing him for two consecutive Test matches may affect England’s chances of going forward in the series.
These, combined with Wood’s non-penetrating bowling in Hyderabad, may force Ben Stokes’ hand to pick either James Anderson or Ollie Robinson for the IND vs ENG 2nd Test in Vizag.
