England Cricket Team have announced their 17-member squad for the third Test of the series against India starting February 24 at the Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad. The series is currently tied at 1-1 after the host pulled off a brilliant win at the MA Chidambaram Stadium beating Joe Root & Co by 317 runs.
Jonny Bairstow has returned to the squad after the management decided to rest him for the first two Tests as their policy, which received severe backlash from former cricketers. On the other hand, Jofra Archer, who missed the second Test with elbow discomfort has also made a return to the squad, that will fight to take an unassailable lead in Motera Stadium where international cricket returns after a long haul.
Jonny Bairstow returns to England squad
Meanwhile, all-rounder Moeen Ali has chosen to fly home and will miss the final two Tests against India in Ahmedabad. The all-rounder took eight wickets in the match and scored a quick-fire second-innings 43 from 18 balls in England’s 317-run loss to India in the second Test in Chennai – his first Test since the Ashes opener in 2019.
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Moeen Ali has had a difficult time ever since he landed in Sri Lanka. He was diagnosed with coronavirus and was self-quarantined and missed the entire Test series against Sri Lanka. England skipper Joe Root admitted that Moeen has gone through a difficult time and the management respects his decision.
“Moeen has chosen to go home. He obviously feels he wants to be with his family and we have to respect that,” Root said at the end of the match.
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England squad for Third Test:
Joe Root (c), James Anderson, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Dominic Bess, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Zak Crawley, Ben Foakes, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Dom Sibley, Ben Stokes, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.