Image Credit- AP
For the fifth Test
match against India in Dharamsala, England has chosen not to add more seam
bowlers to their lineup. Instead, they have announced an XI that includes just
one alteration, Mark Wood in place of Ollie Robinson, from the team that lost
by five wickets in Ranchi last month.
The conversation in the days preceding the Test had focused on the possibility
that England would include at least one extra seamer in the lineup due to the
predicted cold in Dharamsala and the fact that the ground on which this match
would take place is the same one that was used when all 36 wickets fell to seam
in a recent Ranji Trophy match between Delhi and Himachal Pradesh.
But after a last
examination of the wicket by the Ben Stokes, Brendon McCullum, Marcus
Trescothick, and Jeetan Patel management group, England decided to hold onto
the balance that made them competitive in Ranchi, keeping Tom Hartley’s
left-arm spin and Shoaib Bashir’s offspin.
This is true even if England doesn’t think Bashir’s cut to his spinning finger,
which occurred during his 70-over effort in the fourth Test, will significantly
harm him. Due to gastric issues, neither he nor Robinson trained on Wednesday.
Robinson’s exclusion
follows a lacklustre showing in the fourth Test, where he was used sparingly in
India’s successful run-chase and sustained a back strain while batting in
England’s first innings. He makes way for England’s fastest bowler, Wood, who recovered
from a demanding schedule in Rajkot by taking a rest in Ranchi.
The lack of a specialised third seamer may indicate that England’s skipper, Ben
Stokes, who had knee surgery over the winter, may be getting back to bowling
fitness. Stokes has been increasing his workload in the nets this tour.
James Anderson, who is 41 years old and will be playing in his fourth straight
match of the tour, will spearhead England’s attack once more. He needs two more
wickets to achieve 700 in Tests.