England announces 16-man squad for Test series against India; spinners Tom Hartley and Shoaib Bashir maiden call-ups.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced a 16-member squad for the upcoming five-match Test series against India in early 2024. Ben Stokes, who recently underwent knee surgery, has been selected as the captain, with Ollie Pope named as his deputy for the tour.
In anticipation of the subcontinent conditions, England has opted for a spin-heavy bowling department. Jack Leach, the team’s primary spinner, will make a return after missing the 2023 Ashes series. Joining him in the spin-bowling unit are Rehan Ahmed, Tom Hartley, and Shoaib Bashir. Hartley and Bashir, both of whom were part of the England Lions squad that trained in the United Arab Emirates, add depth to the spin options. Additionally, Gus Atkinson, who made his international debut in the home T20I series against New Zealand and was part of England’s 2023 ODI World Cup squad, has earned his maiden Test call-up.
England Squad :Ben Stokes, Rehan Ahmed, James Anderson, Gus Atkinson, Jonny Bairstow, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ben Foakes, Tom Hartley, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root and Mark Wood
The squad includes familiar faces such as Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, and Jonny Bairstow, ensuring a mix of experience and emerging talent.
With the retirement of Stuart Broad, England’s pace attack undergoes a minor reshuffle. James Anderson, the veteran pacer, assumes the role of the spearhead, aiming to capitalize on abrasive surfaces for reverse swing. Ollie Robinson and Mark Wood will partner with Anderson in the fast-bowling department.
Ben Foakes, known for his proficiency against spin, is included as a wicketkeeping option. In the challenging conditions, he could feature in the tour if there are struggles within the middle-order pairing of Bairstow or Harry Brook.
The upcoming tour of India holds significance as it marks India’s first home series in the 2023-25 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. The Ben Stokes-led England side, known for their radical and aggressive approach, aims to implement their style of play in genuine subcontinent conditions.
The Test series is scheduled to commence in Hyderabad on January 25, with subsequent matches taking place in Vizag, Rajkot, Ranchi, and Dharamsala. England, having been the last team to win a Test series in India in 2012 under Sir Alastair Cook, looks forward to the challenge ahead.