IND vs ENG 5th Test: IND vs ENG Live Updates – England’s new Test skipper Ben Stokes will start as the favorite to win the much-hyped Edgbaston Test starting from Friday (July 1). The tables have turned drastically ever since Stokes has taken over leadership reins from Joe Root. Under Test coach Brendon McCullum, England have won two Test matches on the bounce against New Zealand. England of 2021 and England of 2022 are very different and they START FAVORITE to win the Edgbaston Test. Follow IND vs ENG 5th Test Live Updates with InsideSport.IN.
IND vs ENG 5th Test: Five reasons why England start as a favorite to win Edgbaston Test
- Ben Stokes’s aggressive style of captaincy
- Form of Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, and Stuart Broad
- Brendon McCullum factor
- Bankable number three in form of Ollie Pope
- Different England team than 2021
IND vs ENG 5th TEST: 5 Reasons why Ben Stokes England will start as favorite to win Edgbaston Test: Follow INDIA vs ENGLAND LIVE Updates
1: Ben Stokes’s aggressive and fearless style of captaincy
Talismanic all-rounder Stokes has been an absolute revelation as captain. By playing an aggressive and fearless brand of cricket, Stokes has walked the talk. He has set an aggressive field and has played Test cricket like T20 mode. Against New Zealand in the 2nd Test match, England required 299 to win the game and Stokes came out all guns blazing and scored a brisk 50.
He also brought himself into the attack whenever the going got tough. He has won Two Tests already as the captain of the team.
2. Form of Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, and Stuart Broad
The English players like Joe Root, Stuart Broad, Bairstow, and Stokes are in form of their lives. Former England skipper Root is in the purple patch as he scored over 2000 runs in 2021 alone. He has also scored a colossal 10 centuries in this period. Not only in English conditions, but the right-hand batter has scored in Asian conditions, West Indies, and Down Under.
Root is the pillar of the batting lineup. Apart from the former England captain, even Bairstow is in a rich vein of form. He scored 136 off just 72 balls and led England to victory in the 2nd Test against New Zealand. He was also the leading run-scorer for England in the preceding Test series against West Indies. Bairstow was also the team’s best batter in the Ashes Down Under.
In the bowling, Broad has re-invented himself by bowling superbly upfront. Broad has rolled back his years and has been difficult to play in the first 15 overs.
IND vs ENG 5th TEST: 5 Reasons why Ben Stokes England will start as favorite to win Edgbaston Test: Follow INDIA vs ENGLAND LIVE Updates
- Brendon McCullum factor
Bringing McCullum as the coach of the Test team is proving to be a masterstroke. The former New Zealand captain has infused much-needed energy into the Test team. McCullum is known for his fearless approach and he has preached the same philosophy to the England team. The kiwi doesn’t believe in backing away and is extremely confident about himself. As Stokes said, “McCullum has already made us believe 10 feet above ourselves.”
- Bankable number 3 in Ollie Pope
Ollie Pope has turned out to be a good bet at number 3 for England. Over the past two years, England have tried a lot of batters but none could cement the place at the pivotal number three position. In the ongoing series against New Zealand, Pope has scored 266 runs in 3 Tests. Pope’s form is a good sign for the England team ahead of the Edgbaston Test against India.
5. England of 2021 and 2022 is very different
In the McCullum-Stokes Test era, England have started with a bang. In 2021, the team found going tough under Joe Root and coach Chris Silverwood. The team had only won one of 17 Tests over two years period. In 2021, England’s batting was also a huge let down with the top order of Rory Burns and Haseeb Hameed failing miserably. In 2022, England have addressed that issue and have Alex Rees and Zak Crawley at the top.
Even the bowling of the team has improved with the new addition of Matty Potts. James Anderson and Stuart Broad have also found their mojo. When in form, the duo could pose a huge threat due to their seam and swing. With Ollie Robinson and Sam Curran set to be back besides Ben Stokes the all-rounder, India could have a tough time.
IND vs ENG 5th TEST: 5 Reasons why Ben Stokes England will start as favorite to win Edgbaston Test: Follow INDIA vs ENGLAND LIVE Updates
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