England have made two changes for the second Test of the five-match series against India in Vizag, starting tomorrow (February 2).
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Jack Leach has been left out for the second Test as he recovers from the knee injury he suffered during the first Test match, in Hyderabad. Twenty-year-old off-spinner Shoaib Bashir, his replacement, is set to make his Test debut in Visakhapatnam after having arrived late in India due to visa issues.
Shoaib Bashir has been named in England XI. Only Rehan Ahmed (who is also in the team), has played for England since 1945 with fewer first-class appearances behind him. Rehan 3, Bashir 6. Anderson replaces Wood
— Simon Wilde (@swildecricket) February 1, 2024
The other change England have made is to leave out seamer Mark Wood for veteran James Anderson. Wood bowled 25 overs in the first Test without picking a wicket. Anderson, 41 years of age, is set to become the oldest player to play Test cricket in India this century. Anderson played three Tests during the 2021 tour of India and picked eight wickets at an average of 15.87.
With Leach ruled out, England’s spin bowling department bears an extremely inexperienced look. Bashir, Tom Hartley, and Rehan Ahmed have a combined experience of three Tests between them.
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Interestingly, however, the last three English spinners who have made their Test debuts under the leadership of Ben Stokes, have gone on to pick five or more wickets in an innings on their debut – Will Jacks, Rehan Ahmed, and Hartley. England would be hoping for the trend to continue as far as Bashir is concerned.
There are no changes in the batting department for England. Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett provided decent starts in either innings of the Hyderabad Test before Ollie Pope made history with his 196 in the second. The middle order of Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, and Ben Stokes got starts in the first innings of the first Test as well, while wicketkeeper Ben Foakes played a useful hand in the second.
England XI for second Test vs India
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes (c), Ben Foakes (wk), Rehan Ahmed, Tom Hartley, Shoaib Bashir, James Anderson.
