England have made four changes in their 12-man squad for the 2nd Test against India scheduled to commence on February 13 (Saturday) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, Joe Root confirmed. Along with Jofra Archer, who is injured, James Anderson, Jos Buttler, Dom Bess have been rested for this tie.
With a tight schedule ahead, England have decided to rest their senior pacer Anderson, who was spectacular in the last Test. He broke into India’s batting removing Shubman Gill and Ajinkya Rahane with two outstanding reverse swing deliveries before planning Rishabh Pant’s dismissal to perfect changing the game in Joe Root & Co’s favour.
England rest Anderson, Buttler, Bess for 2nd Test
Stuart Broad and Olly Stone have joined the group alongside all-rounder Chris Woakes. Broad will make a comeback in the playing XI while it will be a toss-up between Stone and Woakes for the second seamer’s slot. Joe Root is confident that Broad can fill the absence of Anderson and Archer considering the veteran fast bowler has taken rapid strides in the last few years.
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From averaging 36 in 2017 to an astounding 14.76 last year, where he also crossed the 500 Test wicket landmark, Broad has proved that he is nowhere close to his end. Wicket-keeper batsman Ben Foakes has already made it to the playing XI after England decided to rest Jos Buttler while Moeen Ali comes in place of Dom Bess, who ran a riot in the first innings of the first Test.
England currently lead the four-match Test series 1-0 after beating the host by 227 runs in the first Test.
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England’s 12-man squad for 2nd Test: Dominic Sibley, Rory Burns, Dan Lawrence, Ben Stokes, Joe Root, Ollie Pope, Ben Foakes, Moeen Ali, Jack Leach, Chris Woakes, Olly Stone, Stuart Broad
