Win Projections to be updated soon
The England Cricket team is all set for their Pakistan tour. Both teams are all set to lock horns with each other in a three-match Test series. They have already arrived in Pakistan and already started their practice. But James Anderson is still not there in the squad. James Anderson is playing at the historic Old Course in St. Andrews for a pro-am golf tournament. His late arrival underscores the emergence of a new generation of England seamers.
Anderson’s Ansence and England’s Bowling Challenges:
England last toured Pakistan in 2022 and sealed the series by a 3-0 margin. James Anderson played a crucial role in the series. Following his retirement in July, he took on the role of bowling coach for the team. However, his absence during this series adds a layer of uncertainty.
Five seamers, including Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Matthew Potts, Olly Stone, and Chris Woakes, are stepping into unfamiliar territory. None of them have played any matches in Pakistan. This situation creates added pressure as they adapt to the challenging conditions.
Meanwhile, Anderson is currently participating in a pro-am golf tournament at the historic Old Course in St. Andrews. Although he has been in regular contact with England’s pace bowlers during the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, he won’t join the squad in Pakistan until the second day of the first Test. His absence in the lead-up to the series leaves the team without his seasoned guidance as they navigate this crucial period.
England’s Serious Bowling Concerns:
Ben Stokes has missed recent series due to injury, and his participation in the first Test remains uncertain. Meanwhile, Chris Woakes is set to play his first away Test in two and a half years. The rest of England’s fast bowlers have limited experience, with only one overseas Test played among them.
Gus Atkinson was rested from the last series against Australia due to a minor thigh issue but returned to bowling in training on Friday. Brydon Carse, Matthew Potts, and Olly Stone participated in the ODIs but will need to adapt quickly in the unfamiliar conditions of Pakistan. With several new faces and uncertainties, the team’s strategy will be critical in overcoming these challenges as they gear up for the Test series.
Zak Crawley’s Words Over the Condition:
The first Test match of the three-match Test series is set to take place in Multan. The ground hasn’t hosted a Test match in two years. Early indications suggest that there will be live grass on the pitch. England player Zak Crawley mentioned this, highlighting the potential impact of the pitch conditions on the upcoming match.
Crawley said, “It has a bit of a green tinge. There are two days to go, so with this heat, it could easily turn and be very similar to the pitches last time. We’ll wait and see, but at the moment, it’s certainly a little bit green.”
Later he added, “I feel like it could be a bit more green and a bit more seam movement this time [than two years ago], we got a really versatile bowling attack, with a bit of pace and also some skill… and in this heat, I think the spinners are always going to play a part.”
Lastly, he added, “[We’ve spoken] a little bit about reverse-swing… it should be easy with the sweat, but maybe not so much with that wicket. The square looks quite green. [Anderson] has not arrived yet but he’s an absolute master of that kind of thing. In these conditions, him and Robbo were a big reason we played well last time. He’ll be valuable when he comes out.”
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