Former England pacer Steve Harmison has strongly criticized England’s preparation strategy for the demanding Test tour of India, slated to commence on January 25 in Hyderabad. Expressing his concerns, Harmison highlighted that England intends to arrive in India merely three days before the series kicks off, allegedly after concluding their preparation in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The formidable spin-friendly conditions in India pose a significant challenge for Ben Stokes and co. on how will they adapt to the Indian conditions with an aggressive playstyle set by coach Brendon McCullum. England’s recent track record in Test matches on Indian soil has been challenging, with only one victory in their last two red-ball tours. Despite the difficulties, it’s worth noting that England stands as the last team to have clinched a Test series win in India.
In preparation for the challenging conditions in India, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has taken a proactive approach by selecting a spin-heavy side for the upcoming tour. Notably, newcomers Tom Hartley and Shoaib Bashir have received their maiden call-ups, indicating a strategic focus on bolstering the spin department for the Test series.
The times have changed, and the game has changed, but the preparation has not changed – Steve Harmison on England for India’s Tour
Steve Harmison, a former cricketer who has previously toured India to play three Tests, expresses strong dissatisfaction with England’s planned approach for the upcoming series. He holds the belief that if England proceeds with their current strategy, an impending whitewash in the series would be well-deserved.
During an interaction with TalkSport, Steve Harmison conveyed his thoughts by saying,
“If England go in 3 days before, they deserve to get beat 5-0. They really do. I’m an old man, that is what they are going to say, the times have changed, and the game has changed, but I tell you, preparation has not changed. You can’t go into India underprepared. In fact, you cannot go to India overprepared as well, you can be in India for six weeks before and still not be prepared for that first Test.”
“I would love to know what Pietersen, Strauss, Cook, in that great side, the only side that has won there in 2012, what they would think when they hear that England will go to India like three days before the series. I think they would laugh at you,” he added.
Interestingly, Harmison being a fast bowler played just 1 game against India in England while his other three appearances against them came in the sub-continent.
You would never go to Australia three days before- Steve Harmison
The tours of Australia and India stand out as the most significant events for England on their international cricketing calendar.
In their previous Ashes tour, the team engaged in a couple of warm-up matches against the England Lions on Australian soil, a few weeks ahead of the scheduled series commencement.
“I love this new approach, I love the Stokes-McCullum approach, Rob Key, and everything that they have done. But, I’m sorry, going in three days before, you would never do that for an Ashes series. You would never go to Australia three days before for The Gabba, so why go three days before for Hyderabad? It is not the new world, it is player power. That’s all it is, it is people backing down to players,” Steve Harmison concluded.
Following the conclusion of their Caribbean tour, England will have an open international window. However, the majority of players are expected to participate in franchise leagues such as SA20 and the ILT20 in January.
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