The Test cricket is back in Indian condition. After a break, the excitement for Test cricket has been geared up well. On January 25, India faces England at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in the first Test. After starting well, England lost three quick wickets. England players faced difficulties playing in front of the spin attack. After watching the playing XI of England, former English legend Nasser Hussain was not convinced. He shared his thoughts on this matter.
Inexperienced Players:
Before the match day, England released their playing XI for their first match. For the first Test match, England picked three spinners. Rehan Ahmed, Tom Hartley, and Jack Leach have been named in the squad. They are inexperienced in the Indian conditions. India is known for its spin-friendly condition. For any team, spinners can deliver ultimate success. Somehow, England is laking over that point.
Rehan Ahmed made his Test debut last year against Pakistan. Tom Heartly is yet to make Test debut for England. Jack Leach played in India previously. He has a little bit of an idea about the Indian conditions. If they want to bring a change to their past few year’s record in India, they have to strengthen their spin section.
Nasser Hussain on this matter:
Former England captain and commentator Nasser Hussain expressed doubts about England’s spin choices, highlighting concerns about the team’s lack of experience in the spin department. He suggested that the decision to include four spinners in the XI was driven by this apparent inexperience. Hussain’s skepticism raises questions about the team’s strategy and the challenges they might face in handling the spin-friendly conditions.
Nasser Hussain said, “You look at other countries that try to hit India with spin historically. Shane Warne didn’t get that many wickets and that much success in India, be it against the Fab Five or a different Indian batting lineup.”
Later he said, “I would like a more balanced bowling attack, but I guess with Rehan Ahmed’s second Test match… (he has) hardly debuted. Leach is not bowling for a long time, they just feel they need three because looking at that surface… it’s going to turn.”
Further, he said, “Inexperience has led to the four spinners option as well. You’ve got Leach, who hasn’t bowled since June-July. You’ve got the two inexperienced lads in Hartley and Rehan Ahmed, and you’ve got Joe Root. You think if it would’ve been Swann or Panesar as an example, you could’ve gone with a more balanced side.”
England’s star pacer James Anderson is missing out on the first Test. On this matter, Hussain said, “One seamer, if you lose the toss, say tomorrow, and it’s not doing that much, and you’re starting with spin, you’re leaving out one of our greatest ever cricketers in Jimmy Anderson, arguably, our greatest ever bowlers in my eyes who has a pretty good record in this subcontinent.”
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