England have announced their team for the first Test of the five-match series against India starting June 20 at Headingley. Most of the players are the same as the one-off Test against Zimbabwe last month. Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett will open, Ollie Pope will bat three.
There was talk of whether Crawley or Pope might be replaced by young Jacob Bethell who impressed in New Zealand last year. But Crawley scored 124 off 171 balls in the Test against Zimbabwe and Pope 171 off 166 balls and both proved they deserve their places.
After Pope, Joe Root will come in at four, Harry Brook at five. Ben Stokes will add depth at six, Jamie Smith at seven.
See Also:- Most Wickets in a Test Match
The pace attack will be led by Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse and Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir the only frontline spinner. Woakes has been in good form, taking 5 for 103 for the England Lions recently, including some big names from India A.
At 36 Woakes is seen as a key player for England especially in home Tests, he took 19 wickets in the 2023 Ashes. This will be his first Test since December. Carse is set to make his debut on home soil after playing five Tests abroad. Gus Atkinson and Sam Cook are out to make room for their return.
Read Also:- Fastest batters to 1000 Test Runs
Here’s England’s team for the first Test against India: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (C), Jamie Smith (WK), Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir.
