IND vs ENG: England made a major change in the XI before the third test against India: England on Wednesday (February 14) announced their playing eleven for the third Test against India in Rajkot with one change from the team that played the previous Test in Visakhapatnam. The English team has included Mark Wood in the eleven for the third Test against India starting on February 15.
Fast bowler Mark Wood replaced off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in the line-up, meaning that for the first time in the series, England will include two specialist fast bowlers in the attack.
Wood was part of the England XI in the first Test, when they defeated India in a closely contested match in Hyderabad by 28 runs when Jimmy Anderson missed out. However, he did not get any wicket in the two innings.
Anderson, who is on the verge of breaching the 700-wicket mark, replaced Wood in the second Test in Visakhapatnam and took five wickets (3/47 and 2/29).
Bashir, who made his debut in the Vizag Test, took four wickets including that of Rohit Sharma – his first international wicket. His exclusion means Rehan Ahmed and Tom Hartley, with assistance from Joe Root, will handle the majority of spin-bowling responsibilities.
Captain Ben Stokes will be in the spotlight as he prepares to play his 100th Test – becoming the 16th England player to reach the milestone.
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IND vs ENG: England test Playing XI against India.
Playing XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes (c), Ben Foakes (wk), Rehan Ahmed, Tom Hartley, Mark Wood, James Anderson
Squads: Ben Stokes (captain), Rehan Ahmed, James Anderson, Gus Atkinson, Jonny Bairstow (wicketkeeper), Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ben Foakes, Tom Hartley, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Mark Wood.
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For more details, visit the official website: ICC
