England coach Brendon McCullum has said that they wouldn’t be afraid to field an all-spin bowling attack in the remainder of the India vs England Test series.

England came from behind to register one of their most memorable Test victories in Hyderabad last week. On a turning surface, England played three spinners and just one fast bowler in the form of Mark Wood. Two of their three spinners had a combined experience of one Test between them before the match. Yet, they came out on top against an experienced Indian lineup.

The last time England had toured India for a Test series in 2021, they won the first Test in Chennai, following which the pitches for the remainder of the series started turning big. In case something similar happens this time around, England are prepared to counter it with their spinners, McCullum revealed while speaking to SENZ Radio.

Apart from the three spinners who played in the first Test, England also have Shoaib Bashir in their squad, who faced visa issues leading to a delay in his arrival in India. McCullum said that if they feel the pitch for the second Test in Vizag looks like it would turn more than the one in Hyderabad, Bashir might come into the picture as well.

“He (Bashir) was obviously with us in the camp in Abu Dhabi and he really impressed with his skill sets. He fits in the group. He, again, like Tom Hartley, has little first-class experience, but we thought his skill could help us in here.

“He turned up at a perfect time, really (in Hyderabad). When he arrived, the guys gave him a huge cheer and he got to witness something pretty special with the fellas bowling us to a Test win. Look, he comes into calculations for the next Test match.

“If the wickets continue to spin as much as what we saw in the first Test as the series goes on, we won’t be afraid to play all spinners or a balance of what we’ve got.”

The England coach also lauded Ben Stokes for his handling of debutant Tom Hartley who went on to play a starring role in the second innings with his seven-for. Hartley had gone for 63 runs in his first spell of nine overs in the first innings, with Stokes coming under the scanner for giving him an extended spell despite the lack of control he was offering.

McCullum, however, was all praise for the skipper for sticking with Hartley: “I thought the way Ben Stokes handled Tom Hartley in the first innings when he bowled him an extended spell regardless of the fact that he was getting put under pressure by the Indian batters, I thought that was a real sign of leadership.

“It was a clear message to not just Tom but those that are around the squad that when we talk about freedom and we talk about taking the game on and trying to come in and make a difference, you’re not going to be cast aside or taken off the crease on the first sign of danger. So I thought it was a magnificent sort of a decision by the skipper to do that. It allowed Tom to feel like he belonged.”

Despite England’s victory in the first Test, India are favourites to win the second Test with Betway.

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