England announce Test squad for the tour of India

England suffered a big blow ahead of the most awaited series of the year with spearhead James Anderson being ruled out of the first Test at Rajkot starting on 9 November. Anderson’s absence means Jake Ball, who took a fifer on his ODI debut at Dhaka earlier this month will retain his place in the side. England have gone in with the same squad that is playing in Bangladesh at the moment. Anderson is also doubtful for 2nd Test at Vishakhapatnam which starts from 17th November.

Paceman Stuart Broad will lead England’s pace bowling attack which includes Chris Woakes and Ben Stokes. England are likely to go with two spinners and maybe three if conditions demand.

There are some interesting names to watch out for in England squad. Like Zafar Ansari, the 24-year-old Surrey all-rounder. He had been named in England’s squad for Tests in UAE against Pakistan last year but unfortunately dislocated his thumb and had to miss out. He has played only one ODI for England so far against Ireland in May 2015. In his First-Class career of 66 matches he has scored close to 3000 runs with 3 centuries and 122 wickets against his name.

Another name to watch out for is Ben Duckett, a 22-year old batsman from Northamptonshire. He began the 2016 county season with a bang as he smashed 282* vs Sussex. He smashed a double hundred in List A cricket vs Sri Lanka A in July 2016 at Canterbury.

Also read – Saqlain Mushtaq to assist England spinners during the tour of India

Haseeb Hameed, a 19-year-old batsman from Lancashire is another bring prospect to watch out for. It will be interesting to see whether finally England have got the opener they were looking for to partner Cook after Andrew Strauss in form of Hameed.

Eyebrows were raised when 38-year old Gareth Batty was picked for Bangladesh Tests. Batty, being a first class veteran has 629 wickets to his name. He will be looking to do the same what Graeme Swann did in 2012 and pitches in India are likely to favor him more than the pitches back in domestic circuit in England.

Squad: Alastair Cook (capt), Moeen Ali, Zafar Ansari, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Jake Ball, Gary Ballance, Gareth Batty, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler (wk), Ben Duckett, Steven Finn, Haseeb Hameed, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes.