(Image Source: ECB)
[Saba Sports News] In the series opener against India at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. He joins a spin-heavy English side featuring another left-arm spinner, Jack Leach, and leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed. This selection limits the pace attack to just Mark Wood.
Hartley, with 40 wickets from 20 first-class games, has been chosen despite an average of 36.57, as left-arm spin has historically troubled India’s predominantly right-handed top order. England can also utilize Joe Root’s off-spin if needed, recalling his successful five-wicket haul in India in 2021.
The England team for Hyderabad includes Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Root, Jonny Bairstow, captain Ben Stokes, wicketkeeper Ben Foakes, Ahmed, Hartley, Wood, and Leach. This strategy of playing three spinners, leaving out veteran James Anderson, isn’t new in subcontinental conditions.
Australia employed a similar approach last year, and England did the same on their last tour, with both teams having a seam-bowling all-rounder for support.
Shoaib Bashir, another spinner in the squad, has faced visa delays and is returning from Abu Dhabi to the UK to resolve this. Captain Stokes has confirmed that Foakes will keep wickets while Bairstow will play solely as a batsman at number five.