Former England Skipper Michael Atherton has supported England’s choice to field two seamers in their playing XI for the third Test against India at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot, starting on February 15. Michael Atherton justified this decision as Mark Wood replaced Shoaib Bashir in the playing XI, citing the pitch’s even grass covering that would favor pacers.
Despite Shoaib Bashir’s impressive four-wicket haul on his Test debut in Visakhapatnam, Michael Atherton’s comments in support of Mark Wood replacing him in the playing XI for the third Test against India at Rajkot come as Wood had remained wicketless in the opening Test in Hyderabad, which was played on a spin-friendly track.
I think it’s a sensible change- Michael Atherton
On the eve of the third Test, a former England opener, Michael Atherton shared his thoughts with Sky Sports. He said,
“I think it’s a sensible change. The pitch looks more evenly grassed than in the first two games. So, they have slightly changed the balance of the side, bringing the extra seamer, which I think is the right thing to do. It makes England less vulnerable at the toss,”
It’s an advantage to both of them, they’ll have each other to lean on- Michael Atherton on England playing with 2 seamers
Michael Atherton emphasized that having James Anderson and Mark Wood in the team would further strengthen England’s position on the batting-friendly pitch for the third Test against India. He also expressed confidence in Anderson’s ability to maintain his form after his impressive five-wicket performance in the second Test in Visakhapatnam.
Atherton, who represented England in 115 Tests, remarked,
“James Anderson bowled brilliantly in that last Test match. He’ll have a little bit more support from Mark Wood here in this game. Wood himself played as a lone seamer in the first match. I think it’s an advantage to both of them, they’ll have each other to lean on,”
For those who may not be aware, James Anderson is on the verge of a historic milestone, needing just five more wickets to become the first-ever pacer to take 700 wickets in Tests. So far, the 41-year-old has bagged 39 wickets in 14 Tests played in India.
Meanwhile, Mark Wood will be aiming to pose a serious threat to the inexperienced Indian middle order in the absence of senior players. The hosts are likely to choose from among Sarfaraz Ahmed, Dhruv Jurel, Devudtt Padikkal, and Rajat Patidar for the middle order.
England playing XI for the 3rd Test
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes (c), Ben Foakes(wk), Rehan Ahmed, Tom Hartley, Mark Wood and James Anderson.
The five-match Test series between India and England is currently tied at 1-1. India won the second Test by 106 runs, while England emerged victorious by 28 runs in the series opener.
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