Anderson replaces Overton in England team for India test
BIRMINGHAM, England : Veteran seamer James Anderson will replace Jamie Overton for England in the rescheduled fifth test against India at Edgbaston, the team said on Thursday.
Joe Root Sport News
England vs India, 5th Test: James Anderson Returns As England Name Playing XI
England on Thursday announced their playing XI for the rescheduled fifth Test against India that begins at Edgbaston on Friday. James Anderson, who was ruled out of the third Test against New Zealand, has returned to the team, replacing Jamie Overton. Sam Billings, who was Ben Foakes' COVID-19 replacement in the third Test against New Zealand, has been picked to keep wickets. "The Three Lions make one change to the side that won the third Test against New Zealand at Headingley, with Jimmy Anderson returning to the side in place of Jamie Overton," the England Cricket Board wrote in its official statement.
England vs India: "Fearless" England Excite James Anderson As India Sweat On Rohit Sharma
James Anderson cannot wait to rejoin a "fearless" England team, unlike any he has known in two decades of international cricket, in this week's long-delayed India series finale. Friday's match in Birmingham comes just four days after England completed a 3-0 rout of Test world champions New Zealand. Before that series, England had won just one of 17 Tests. That was against India in Leeds last year. But India fought back to lead 2-1 only for the deciding encounter to be postponed just a couple of hours before it was due to begin at Manchester's Old Trafford in September, with the tourists withdrawing due to a COVID-19 scare.
Pakistan Captain Babar Azam Continues T20I Rankings Reign, Surpasses Another Virat Kohli Landmark
Babar Azam is perhaps the most talked about cricketer in the recent months due to his superlative form with the bat in international cricket. While many former cricketers have argued that on current form he is perhaps the best batter in the world, others have spoken about expanding the 'Top 4' of international batting into a 'Top 5' to include Babar along with the likes of Virat Kohli, Joe Root, Steve Smith and Kane Williamson.
Watch: Joe Root's Sweet Gesture Towards Daryl Mitchell After England Whitewash New Zealand In Test Series
England on Monday defeated New Zealand by seven wickets in the third and final Test match to complete a 3-0 whitewash over the Kiwis. Chasing a target of 296 runs in the final innings, England comfortably got home riding on 86 not out from Joe Root and 82 from Ollie Pope. After England's win, the players of both the sides started shaking hands with each other to conclude what was a thrilling Test series. This is when Joe Root made a sweet gesture towards Daryl Mitchell that was caught on camera.
India vs England: I am backing England, if Virat Kohli plays like Joe Root is right now, we are in for a treat, says Graeme Swann
Graeme Swann has picked England as the favourites to win the crucial fifth Test match against India, starting July 1 at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham. The fifth Test was cancelled last year and had to be rescheduled due to an outbreak of COVID-19 in the Indian camp. India are leading 2-1 from the series played in August-September last year. Four of the five Tests were played, with one ending in a draw. Many, including England's Moeen Ali feel that if the series was completed last year itself, India would have won. The current England Test team however is operating at a very high level and have just whitewashed New Zealand, the reigning World Test champions 3-0. The new captain-coach combination of Ben Stokes and Brendon MCullum have started their stints on a high. Former captain Joe Root who was the leading run-getter overall when India played 4 of the 5 Tests last summer is still in red hot form. Root scored 396 runs in 6 innings vs the Kiwis in the recently concluded Test series, with two centuries and a fifty and an average of 99.
"Rock And Roll" England Slight Favourites In Rescheduled 5th Test vs India: Graeme Swann
Former England spinner Graeme Swann is thrilled with the transformation the English Test team has undergone under the leadership of new captain Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum. He said that the momentum they are carrying from the recent series sweep over New Zealand makes them "slight favourites" for the rescheduled fifth Test against India in Birmingham. Swann said that if the Test had happened as per schedule last year, then he would have handed it to India "on a platter" as they were the better team then. But now, with England's new exciting brand of cricket, he feels the hosts hold the edge.
"Alarm Bells Have Gone Off": England Coach McCullum After Emphatic Test Series Win Over New Zealand
Brendon McCullum believes England's aggressive performances against his native New Zealand have sent a warning to their rivals in Test cricket. McCullum's first series as England's red-ball head coach ended in a 3-0 whitewash of Test world champions New Zealand. The hosts made short work of seemingly stiff chases of 277, 299 and 296 in victories at Lord's, Trent Bridge and Headingley, scoring their runs at a rapid rate of 4.54 an over. It was a marked contrast to England's woeful run of just one win in 17 Tests prior to the campaign against the Black Caps.