Five things to look out for- England v India Test series

If you asked any cricketing purist five years ago for their opinions on Bubble Life and The Hundred, the responses would more resemble questions than answers. Fast forward to the present day and these are two highly important factors that, potentially, could go a long way towards deciding the result of a series neither side can afford to lose.

Given the crucial nature of this series, where it could possibly see the end of a captaincy era to a cementing of an Ashes batting line-up ahead of England’s winter challenges. Unfortunately for all, both England or India arrive at Trent Bridge following a period of less-than-ideal preparation, meaning that the two sides are more reliant than ever on their experienced performers to stand up and be counted.

With the English internationals playing next to no red-ball cricket since the New Zealand Test series over a month ago, and India only playing intra-squad warm-up matches alongside a one-off County XI side, both could appear to be undercooked given the magnitude of the players they each face. Below are five key areas where the series can be one or lost.

Scoring “400”

First innings runs are what every team strives for, and in England, if you can score the magical 400 that every captain wishes, you are statistically more likely to win than not. At Trent Bridge where the first test is being held, the average first innings score is 324, with the average winning first innings total being 352.

Since COVID-19 came into the world, England have hosted eight test matches, averaging a below-par 316, subsequently only winning three. If either team is to prosper in the coming five matches, it is imperative they get as close as possible to that magical 400.

Who will open for India?

Following Shubman Gill’s COVID-19 absence and Mayank Agarwal’s withdrawal due to a concussion suffered in practice, India find themselves in search of another new opening partner to support Rohit Sharma. With options limited, Ravi Shastri has three names to choose between KL Rahul, Prithvi Shaw and Cheteshwar Pujara.

Of the names listed, it is unlikely that India will tinker and break up their formidable engine room of Pujara, Kohli and Rahane batting in positions three, four and five. With Pujara averaging 46.75 at number three and having batted at three for 128 of his 144 innings, this seems unlikely to be tampered with.

With Shaw brought on tour as the least experienced and having previously averaged a meagre 17 in his last series, KL Rahul will seem the most likely candidate to open the batting. Despite struggling in England on his only previous tour in 2018, Rahul scored 299 runs from ten innings, although this was boosted enormously with a knock of 149 in the final innings of the series, at the Oval.

“Stokes-shaped hole”

With England losing Ben Stokes, arguably their most important player, following his decision to take an indefinite break from cricket to focus on his mental health, Joe Root is now desperately trying to bring balance into his side.

With Stokes leading from the front in all three disciplines and able to give England the “extra” bowling option without detracting from their batting strength, he leaves a position that no other English player can fill to the highest international standard.

What we will most likely see is Sam Curran stepping into his shoes, batting a place higher than ideally desired at number seven. In his only previous experience at Test match level against India in 2018, Curran batted at number eight and in his four matches scored 272 runs averaging 38, including a memorable counter-attacking display at the Rose Bowl, scoring 78 crucial runs, when England sat perilously at 86 for six.

With Curran getting into the side first and foremost for his bowling, his swift left-arm action at fast-medium gives England another variation with the ball, averaging 32 runs per wicket in his 21 Tests to date. What this will mean, however, is the batting lineup will have a longer tail with Mark Wood potentially batting at number eight.

The other alternative is to replace Stokes’ batting in the side with a genuine batsman, bringing in Dan Lawrence to bat at six, knowing fully well that you are sacrificing a bowling option doing so. Lawrence performed admirably in his seven Tests to date, scoring a superb 81 not out at Edgbaston in June, only to run out of support in his push for a maiden Test Century.

England’s use of spin

Going into a Test series in England and knowing that no matter the conditions, one team will play two frontline spinners is almost unheard of, however, this will certainly be the case given the plethora of talent within the Indian bowling ranks, able to boast Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, two of the world’s finest bowlers currently playing.

In contrast, England are not so lucky. With Dom Bess and Jack Leach being the options available to Joe Root, it would not be surprising at all should they chose to play the extra batsmen in Lawrence and as a result not pick a spinner.

Under coach Chris Silverwood, it is almost a given that four seamers will take to the field, so with the likelihood of James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Sam Curran all but guaranteed to play, the toss-up falls between Jack Leach or Mark Wood.

Root’s relative reluctance to back a frontline spinner may play a part in the decision making, taking Jack Leach and Dom Bess for examples, both averaging just 20 overs per Test on home soil, compared to two recent Test spinners in Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar who averaged 36 and 39 overs, respectively.

What this highlights is that the frontline spinner is not given the chance and opportunity to bowl a lengthy spell, putting together numerous overs and building pressure against the opposition batsmen. If England are to play a spinner, they will have a challenge on their hands to stay in the attack, and, would most likely be used as a control bowler, keeping the opposition run rate in check whilst rotating the seamers at the other end.

COVID-19 causing havoc

With both teams staying in bio-secure bubbles given the ongoing pandemic, it would only take one outbreak within either side to completely disrupt the series and dramatically change what we will see. With India being given a pre-tour scare as dynamic wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant contracted the virus, resulting in their side further isolating, it is understandable why all the players and teams are being extra cautious.

As seen with England and Pakistan’s recent ODI series, after an outbreak left England fielding a reserve side, should we see an outbreak within the visiting ranks, there will not be a secondary squad to call upon.

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