Courtesy: ECB
On Wednesday, June 18, England announced their playing XI for the first Test of the five-match series against India at Headingley in Leeds, which will begin in two days time. Under Ben Stokes’ captaincy, Ollie Pope has retained his place at number three in the batting order after questions were asked of his indifferent form despite scoring a hundred in the one-off four-day Test match against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge in Nottingham last month.
Ben Duckett will continue to open the batting with Zak Crawley for England after establishing one of the most fearsome opening partnerships regardless of the opposition and condition. Former captain Joe Root is the glue of the England batting lineup, and he will be looking to continue his exceptional batting record against India - 10 hundreds in 30 matches - at number four in the batting order.
Josh Tongue preferred over Jamie Overton among England fast bowlers for first Test vs India
As far as captain Ben Stokes goes, he hasn’t been in the best of forms with the bat for quite some time, but after recovering from a recent injury, the contribution from him with the ball could prove to be just as crucial for England in the five-match Test series. The bowling cartel will be spearheaded by the experienced Chris Woakes, he will have Brydon Carse and Josh Tongue for company.
Furthermore, England have made the decision to keep off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in the playing XI after his fantastic showing with the ball against Zimbabwe last month, a performance which came after a tough start in the County Championship just earlier.
England’s playing XI for first Test of five-match series against India:
Ben Stokes (c), Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook (vc), Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir
