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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.

"Done Things Differently": England Cricket's Tweet Goes Viral After Series Sweep Over New Zealand

The Ben Stokes-Brendon McCullum era started with a magnificent win for England as the Three Lions defeated New Zealand 3-0 in the three-match Test series. In the Headingley Test, England defeated New Zealand by seven wickets as they chased down 296 in just 54.2 overs. Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root remained unbeaten on 71 and 86 to help England get over the line. In the entire series, England played an aggressive brand of cricket, and this saw England chasing more than 250 in all three Tests of the series.

"Like Some Of The 50-Overs Stuff": Joe Root Compliments This England Teammate After Classy Display In New Zealand Tests

England batter Joe Root lavished praise on his fellow teammate Jonny Bairstow after his 'phenomenal' batting performance helped the Three Lions clinch the victory in the final Test against New Zealand. Powerful knocks from Root (86*) and Bairstow (71*) guided England to a thumping seven-wicket win over the Kiwis in the final Test at Headingley in Leeds on Monday.

Watch: Jonny Bairstow's Massive Six That Helped England Win 3-0 Against New Zealand

England played an attacking brand of cricket in the Test series against New Zealand and it was fitting that the hosts completed the series sweep through a massive six hit by Jonny Bairstow. England defeated New Zealand by seven wickets in the third Test to clinch the series 3-0. Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow remained unbeaten on 86 and 71 respectively as England chased down the total with seven wickets in hand in the second session on Day 5.

Jonny Bairstow is on the path to greatness

The most astounding thing about Jonny Bairstow’s 44-ball 71 not out on the fifth day at Leeds, to help England hurtle towards their chase of 296, was its sense of inevitability.

"They Are Coming In Cold...": Ex-England Great Feels India Have This "Disadvantage" In Upcoming Test

England will be playing India on the back of the three-Test series against New Zealand and former off-spinner Graeme Swann believes it would make the hosts slight favourites going into the rescheduled fifth Test starting in Birmingham on Friday. England on Monday completed a 3-0 series whitewash against New Zealand after wining the third and final Test by seven wickets. "England are in a very good position and I would say they are slight favourites because of that series (against New Zealand)," Swann said in a virtual interaction, facilitated by Sony Sports, official broadcasters of India-England series.

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Joe Root Sport News

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

"Rock And Roll" England Slight Favourites In Rescheduled 5th Test vs India: Graeme Swann

"Alarm Bells Have Gone Off": England Coach McCullum After Emphatic Test Series Win Over New Zealand

"Done Things Differently": England Cricket's Tweet Goes Viral After Series Sweep Over New Zealand

"Like Some Of The 50-Overs Stuff": Joe Root Compliments This England Teammate After Classy Display In New Zealand Tests

Watch: Jonny Bairstow's Massive Six That Helped England Win 3-0 Against New Zealand

Jonny Bairstow is on the path to greatness

"They Are Coming In Cold...": Ex-England Great Feels India Have This "Disadvantage" In Upcoming Test