In the upcoming fourth Test in Ranchi against India, England might return to using just one main fast bowler. Mark Wood and James Anderson, who played in the last Test in Rajkot, might not be on the team this time. Ollie Robinson is likely to take their place in the starting lineup. Meanwhile, Shoaib Bashir is expected to return to the squad, giving England more choices for their bowling attack in this important match.
Ollie Pope about The Pitch of Ranchi:
England’s key batsman Ollie Pope highlighted the conditions in Ranchi, noting significant cracks on the surface that are expected to favor bowlers. Describing it as not a ‘belting wicket,’ Pope anticipates a dry pitch that would particularly aid spinners. His observations hint at a challenging batting environment, indicating the potential advantage for bowlers, especially spinners, in the upcoming match.
Ollie Pope said, “There’s a lot of cracks, it’s very platey, and they’ve just wetted it as well, which generally dries it up. It doesn’t necessarily look like a belting wicket at the moment. It kind of looks like one half is good, and then there are a lot of platey cracks. That’s how we see it at the minute. I think we will see what happens tomorrow after the Indian team has looked at the wicket, then make a decision from there”.
Ben Stokes’s Bowling Concern and Probable Changes in Squad:
England is yet to finalize their decision, which is expected to be made on the eve of the Ranchi Test. There is contemplation about including Ollie Robinson to infuse some fresh energy into the squad, with James Anderson and Mark Wood having played consecutive matches. To manage their workload, the team management is mulling over allowing Robinson in the upcoming match to balance the bowling attack effectively.
Meanwhile, England’s captain, Ben Stokes, has been seen practicing bowling lately. Recovering from a knee injury sustained last summer, he refrained from bowling for some time. Despite undergoing knee surgery post the ODI World Cup, Stokes has recuperated ahead of schedule. There’s a possibility he might return to bowling in the fourth Test match, earlier than anticipated, showcasing his swift recovery and determination.
Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow Cricadium on Whatsapp, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
