England tour of India

[Durhamfootman]

I can see them pairing up both Broad and Anderson. I'm not sure they'll go with Stone at this point in the series. I guess it might come down to how Anderson feels about perhaps having to spend Sat and Sun in the field so soon after the first test. I doubt they'll bring in Mo

but hey.... this is England and they often surprise me

[Durhamfootman]

Oh crikey.... I should have read the news before that last post

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/56031521

Ando rested, Bess dropped, Archer out and no Buttler (obviously)

Broad, Mo, Foakes, Stone and Woakes come into the 12 man squad so only one of those 5 will miss out. I presume that means that Mo will play

[Arthur Crabtree]

Bit surprising Bess was left out, unless he's injured. Maybe Mo has been tearing it up in the nets. Maybe they see Foakes as a lesser bat than JB2 and Mo more of a bat than Good Dom Bess, and so they equal out. Not sure either sides of the equation is true though.

Two of Woakes, Broad and Stone then. Or one of Woakes or Stone.

[alfie]

Think Bess looked a bit tired in the second innings...even spinners can get tired He certainly bowled a lot of full tosses and perhaps he is seen as being in need of a break ? Otherwise seems little point in gambling on Moeen - Bess had even done a decent job with the bat at eight.

Some fears Stokes may still be limited in his bowling role - hope this is not the case. Stone or Woakes is the only real choice ; unless they ditch Lawrence and play all the bowlers...

Silverwood and Root have been emphasising the importance of the whole squad.

[Durhamfootman]

for all Bess took wickets in the first innings, his control wasn't great..... but then he didn't get flogged either. Leach whose control was better did get a flogging off Pant. Bess did seem to tire though in the first innings, so maybe it's just simply a rotational thing and Mo was always likely to feature in this series.

Wood was being rested until the 3rd test, so if the injury to Archer is more of a niggle in nature then his participation in the series might be affected if Archer is fit for the 3rd test. I imagine that Archer was going to play two, miss one, and then decide

[Durhamfootman]

Is Mo a better bat than Bess these days?

[sussexpob]

Its clear Bess has been dropped, Root has come out to say "its clear what he needs to go away and work on, and where he needs to improve". After contributing 60 runs with the bat, and averaging 22 with the ball this winter, its quite hard to see the thinking behind that decision. I think I would be pretty furious If id returned wickets at the same average as Murali for the year, ripped out all the Indian premier bats in the first innings winning my side the game, then my captain come out and tell the press I needed to improve.

Leach has performed worse with bat and ball, and his first innings effort was Brice McGain like. Moeen has batted like a tailender for a long time now in tests, and his record in India is tragic....

Its hard to see the thinking behind this, unless Moeen is ripping it in the nets

[sussexpob]

Woakes the least likely option , I'd imagine. His record in these parts is not the best

His record away is terrible, but in his defence I would say that he seems to never be fully fit when it comes to touring. Much like Anderson in the 06/07 Ashes which was used against him for years after, you feel hes been forced into games a lot bowling half fit, and of course it was never going to work, especially when he also seems to get picked for flatter decks. Id expect given a run when he hasnt had fitness issues, he would fair far better, but concede his record maybe still adds a concern about his potential use away, even with the context given.

[westoelad]

At last I've got full confidence in the tour management,Root and Silverwood. So go along with these changes- they're the guys on the scene. Boils down to a choice of Stone or Woakes for the final place, I suspect

[Durhamfootman]

At last I've got full confidence in the tour management,Root and Silverwood. So go along with these changes- they're the guys on the scene.

I've seen articles about Aussies talking positively about the England rotation policy with all the covid limitations that are imposed on international teams.... even talk about emulating it.
I have more confidence in the England management thinking atm, than I've had in a very long time

[bigfluffylemon]

Best has been getting better, Moreen worse.

Time will tell, but this seems questionable.

[meninblue]

India win the toss and opt to bat first.

[Dr Cricket]

Great India had to win the toss.

[alfie]

Stone gets the nod over Woakes. Not ideal conditions for him perhaps but he'll be glad to get his chance.

No Bumrah ! Must be in serious need of a rest . Siraj was good in Australia ; but India will be looking to Ashwin and the two replacement spinners to do the damage. Kuldeep and Axar probably more threat than Nadeem and Sundar , although the latter was good with the bat.

Good toss for Kohli to win , I imagine.

[alfie]

Great India had to win the toss.

I thought the toss didn't matter , Dr C ? I guess we will see...

But fair enough , it was Kohli's turn to win one. Now he needs his men to cash in while the pitch is at its best.