Five things to look out for in the second India v England Test

Moeen Ali’s Return

Spinner Dom Bess has been dropped, with concerns about his errant deliveries and high economy rate surrounding the youngster, as well as giving him a rest ahead of the crucial third test.

Moeen Ali hasn’t had a test start since the first test of the last Ashes series in 2019, and after taking a break from Test cricket is now back in the squad.

Despite facing criticism for his performances with the bat and ball in his test career, Ali is the fifth-fastest player, in terms of matches played, to score 2,000 runs and take 100 wickets in Tests.

He is also the first England player since Ian Botham to score a Test half-century and take ten wickets in the same match.

Ali has experience in India as well, having scored a hundred in England’s last away series in India in 2016. This could prove to be important when it comes to game management, as Root will look to his senior, experienced players, such as Stoke, Broad and Ali for advice.

Broad is Back

After some stunning performances with both bat and ball having been dropped for the first test of summer 2020, England fans will be hoping that Broad can do the same, having been rested for the first test.

Arguably England best bowler of the last decade alongside Jimmy Anderson, Broad was named England’s man of the series against West Indies last summer as he took his 500th test match wicket in a 10 wicket match-winning performance to win the Wisden Trophy.

Having had a great performance with the ball in Sri Lanka, as well as adapting his bowling in the slower, changing conditions of the subcontinent, England fans will be looking forward to seeing how one of the world’s best opening bowlers will handle the challenge of the Indian’ top order.

Archer’s Replacement

Joe Root has confirmed that young paceman Jofra Archer will miss out on the second test with an elbow injury that troubled him during the first test.

Archer suffered a stress fracture in his right elbow last year, but it is believed that the current issue is not related to any previous problem. It is hoped the treatment will settle the condition quickly, allowing Archer to return in time for the third Test on 24 February.

Included in England’s 12-man squad for this test are Chris Woakes and Olly Stone, and it’s clear that with Broad, Ali and Leach making up three of the four bowlers, these two will be left to battle it out over the final spot in the team.

Stone has only played one test match before, in which he took figures of 3 for 29 against Ireland in 2019. Since then, he has been on the sidelines as a squad reserve, recovering from a back injury.

Stone’s height and pace may be viewed as qualities that suit a like-for-like Archer replacement, whilst Woakes’ slower pace and tendency to swing the ball more may mean he is 12th man for this test.

However, if Woakes does play, that doesn’t mean that England will be suffering. He has shown in previous tests, especially last summer, that he can be effective with both bat and ball, as well as having skill with cutters and slower deliveries that he normally utilises in ODIs.

Another Root Hundred?

Surely not, right?

If Root scores a hundred in this test he will join Rahul Dravid, Jack Fingleton and Alan Melville as the only batsmen in test history to score a hundred in four consecutive matches. Only Everton Weekes of the West Indies has scored five in a row.

Root’s rise back to the top of his game has been a remarkable turnaround after a year in which he didn’t score an international hundred for the first time since 2012.

Whatever happens, it seems that Root is finding form at just the right time, with a place in the World Test Championship final place at stake and the Ashes later this year.

Foakes for Buttler

Jos Buttler has been a player under constant scrutiny during his last few years in England’s Test side, whether it be for his batting ability or his wicket-keeping skills.

Despite some great knocks and decent performances behind the stumps, some England fans have been calling for Ben Foakes to replace Buttler as the recognised keeper in the side, and with Buttler returning home for some well-deserved rest and Bairstow not included in the touring squad, Foakes finally has an opportunity to prove himself to the selectors ahead of a busy year for England.

Foakes scored a hundred in his debut innings for England, away at Sri Lanka in 2018, the first wicket-keeper to do so for England since Matt Prior. Foakes’ batting could be a huge part of his game in the subcontinent, as he looks to provide runs in the same way that Buttler was able to, albeit perhaps not in the same aggressive manner as what we’ve seen from Buttler over the years.

Nevertheless, this is set up to be an exciting and crucial game if England want to secure a hold on this series and become the first touring team to win a series in India since a previous England side, in 2011.

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