England’s squad for the second Ashes Test was announced today. And as expected, Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad were included. The 12- man squad has Jimmy Anderson, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Haseeb Hameed, Jack Leach, Dawid Malan, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root (capt) Ben Stokes, and Chris Woakes. England will take on Australia for the Day-Night Ashes Test at Adelaide scheduled to begin on December 16. After defeat in the first Test, England would be needing a strong comeback this time and they would expect Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad to come up with the magical touch. Hopes will be high from a few other players too who would be keen to contribute as well.
Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson
Australia’s 9-wicket win in the first Ashes Test at the Gabba definitely raised a few questions. But controversy had started much before that when England had decided to keep Anderson and Broad out of the match. Broad later said, “Over the past 12 months, Jimmy Anderson and I tried to ensure we were as fit as could be in the current Covid climate, ready to go and available for all five Tests in Australia,” Broad wrote in his column. He added, “But England selection is not in the hands of players. It is in those of people who have to make choices based on conditions and the balance of the team and our job now with four matches to go is to be ready for the next of the series in Adelaide on Thursday.”
No wonder, after the debacle at the Gabba, the return of these two were on the cards. The two greatest wicket-takers in England Test history, with 1,156 scalps between them, should be effective under lights at Adelaide. The pink ball’s movement can help their swing and the experience added to this will be an extra advantage. There have been a number of times when these two have taken England out of trouble. This could be yet another time and Australia should be worried.
Clarity of Thoughts May Be the Key for Pat Cummins, the Captain
Joe Root
Joe Root is the main man for England in their batting line-up. His consistency in the longest format is undoubtedly a major factor for England to do well in the Ashes. In the first Test Root was dismissed for a duck in the first innings but in the second innings it was the partnership between Root and Dawid Malan that helped England put a fight. In fact the dismissal of the duo saw England’s collapse. With more than 9000 Test runs in 110 matches, Joe Root will be once again a key player for England to level the series at Adelaide. He also became the first England batsman and eight overall to score 1500-plus runs in a calendar year.
Ben Stokes
After taking a break for his mental break, Ben Stokes returned to cricket with the Ashes. Stokes is one of the prime all-rounders for England and he has proved his worth multiple times. His remarkable chase at Headingley just after the 2019 World Cup is one of the best innings in the history of Ashes. No wonder England were looking up to him at Adelaide, but he failed to perform well in both innings. He will be charged and eager to make it to the headlines with yet another memorable performance on his return series.
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