England braces for relentless spin test
When England enters the Saurashtra Cricket Association stadium on Wednesday (November 9) to begin the first of the five Tests against India, it could easily mistake it for Lord’s, given that the press box here is an exact, unabashed replica.
That, however, will be the closest England will feel at home through the next 41 days, for a gruelling test of skill, fitness and temperament awaits it. It would have got a small idea of what it would face in India during its tough, drawn Test series in Bangladesh last month.
What doesn’t help England’s cause is the anxiety that surrounds the beginning. Arriving in India just a week ahead of the series means England hasn’t had time even for a warm-up match. There is also uncertainty surrounding the most important factor – the pitch – considering Rajkot is hosting a Test match for the first time.
Two days ahead of the game, the pitch had some grass as well as some cracks. The ground staff has since gradually scraped off the grass, and with the sun beating down, it would definitely assist spin. How early, and how much, remains to be seen.
What is certain, though, is that India is clearly ahead in every department in these conditions. R Ashwin, fast on a mission to break spin-bowling records, leads a strong and versatile attack that’s perhaps made stronger with the presence of DRS for the first time in a Test series in India. Ashwin will already be licking his lips as England is guaranteed to have as many as five left-hand batsmen in its XI.
Ravindra Jadeja, his partner-in-crime and local boy, too knows a thing or two about picking up wickets here: he bulldozed his way back into the Test team with four consecutive five-wicket hauls at the SCA Stadium during the last season of the Ranji Trophy.
And if conditions so demand or should there be an injury, it has another world-class spinner in Amit Mishra. The pace attack will also be bolstered by the return of Ishant Sharma, who missed the New Zealand series due to illness, to pair with an in-form Mohammed Shami.
India’s batting line-up has been hit by multiple injuries but all batsmen were among the runs in their whitewash of New Zealand. Virat Kohli is a captain who is known to change things around frequently, but India’s XI looks more or less settled. The only question mark is over the No. 6 spot with Rohit Sharma out with an injury. Either Karun Nair or Hardik Pandya will make his debut, unless Kohli decides to include Mishra and play three spinners.
England, on the other hand, is anything but settled. A sign of an unsettled side is the constant changes to team combinations, and England has made quite a few ahead of the first Test. The biggest change is right at the top, with Haseeb Hameed, 19, set to become the youngest debutant to open for England.
“It's a very exciting day for a young guy who has impressed everyone so far on this trip,” said Alastair Cook, the captain, on Tuesday of his latest opening partner. “You often wonder if a 19-year-old on tour will be overawed but he hasn't been at all. He has looked really good at the nets in the way he has trained and gone about his business. He's one of those natural run-scorers. All through his age-groups, every team he has played in whatever standard, he has scored runs. He should be very proud and hopefully he can do well.”
Hameed’s inclusion has pushed Ben Duckett, who opened in both Tests in Bangladesh, to No. 4. Although England hasnn’t decided on the rest of the order, Cook revealed that Gary Ballance had been dropped.
The changes also mean more responsibility on the two batsmen who are already expected to do the bulk of the work – Cook himself, and Joe Root. They are the most technically correct batsmen in the line-up and will have to deliver at the top, for those who follow are predominantly stroke-makers.
The likes of Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow can sure change games around on their day, but this series will challenge them to do it more consistently against relentless spin. The middle order’s unpredictability and inexperience also makes Moeen Ali’s role crucial. From indications in practice sessions, England's go-to option to tackle spin is the sweep shot.
England is undecided on its bowling combination but it’s unlikely it will revert from its three-pace, three-spin attack. Stuart Broad, who will play his 100th Test, will return after missing the second Bangladesh Test and partner Chris Woakes and Stokes, while Adil Rashid and Gareth Batty will form the spin attack along with Moeen.
As much as it is about playing spin, England's fate will also depend on bowling quality spin. The current attack reeks of inexperience, but England will know India isn’t infallible against the turning ball. It just has to look at Moeen’s performance in its last series against India in England to take confidence.
It’s hard to look beyond India, which also has a point to prove after losing three consecutive Test series to England. But here’s a trivia that could lift England’s hopes: it was an England side led by Cook that spoiled the stadium’s One-Day International debut party in 2013.
Teams (from): India: M Vijay, Gautam Gambhir, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli( capt), Ajinkya Rahane, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Amit Mishra, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Jayant Yadav, Karun Nair, Hardik Pandya.
England: Alastair Cook(capt), Haseeb Hameed, Joe Root, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Moeen Ali, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Chris Woakes, Stuart Broad, Adil Rashid, Steven Finn, Jake Ball, Gareth Batty, Jos Buttler, Zafar Ansari.
