The England Cricket Team has been slapped with a major injury crisis. Star spinner Jack Leach is likely to be ruled out after encountering a knee injury. This means the Three Lions will give debut to the much awaited Shoaib Bashir in the IND vs ENG 2nd Test in Vizag.
The visitors staged a sensation comeback to snatch victory on Day 4 in Hyderabad by 28 runs. The English spinners ran riot to prevent India to chase down 231 runs and take a 1-0 lead in the 5-match Test series.
England are likely to field 2 major changes in their otherwise set Playing XI. Both the changes comes in the bowling department. Jack Leach is likely to be unavailable while pacer Mark Wood can be rested. This means Shoaib Bashir and the veteran James Anderson gets a chance in the team.
Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett will retain their spot in the team despite not scoring big runs for the visitors. However, on the both the innings in the 1st Test, the duo began well, showcasing their ‘Bazball’ style of gameplay. Ollie Pope needs no introduction. While the English spinners take the credit for the Hyderabad Test win, it was Ollie Pope’s heroics that helped England snatch victory.
The perfect deputy to Ben Stokes hammered 196 runs to guide the tourists to clinch a memorable win. As a result, Pope will start at 3 and will be joined by Joe Root at the number 4 spot. Down the order, the enforcers Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes will lead the charge. Ben Foakes will act as the anchor at 7.
Will Jack Leach Play in Vizag?
England are likely to go ahead with a solitary pacer yet again. This time James Anderson will get his chance while Mark Wood will be rested with workload management.
For the spinners, Shoaib Bashir is set to replace Jack Leach. It will be the much awaited Test debut for Bashir after his visa fiasco. Rehan Ahmed and Tom Hartley will spearhead the spin attack.
“He’s a tough cookie. You can never write him off. He had a sore knee in the last game and we’ll see how he pulls up. At the moment he’s still in contention to play,” Zac Crawley told BBC Sport.
“Obviously it would be a shame for Leachy to miss out, he’s a fantastic bowler, but we’ve got good depth. We’ve got a good spin attack and good seamers to back them up.”
England Predicted Playing XI vs IND 2nd Test
1. Zak Crawley
2. Ben Duckett
3. Ollie Pope
4. Joe Root
5. Jonny Bairstow
6. Ben Stokes (C)
7. Ben Foakes (Wk)
8. Tom Hartley
9. Shoaib Bashir
10. Rehan Ahmed
11. James Anderson
England Test Squad: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes (c), Ben Foakes (wk), Rehan Ahmed, Tom Hartley, Mark Wood, Jack Leach, Ollie Robinson, James Anderson, Daniel Lawrence, Gus Atkinson
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