England head coach Brendon McCullum has predicted a “blockbuster” third Test against India, hoping a spicier Lord’s pitch can assist a bowling attack that is anticipated to feature Jofra Archer.
The primary two games of the Rothesay series have seen an avalanche of runs, with 11 centuries between the teams and nine players averaging greater than 50.
India skipper Shubman Gill has been particularly prolific, piling up 430 in two innings on a flat deck at Edgbaston as his side levelled the scoreline at 1-1.
He now has 585 runs, with the potential for six more attempts, and is being touted as a contender for the primary player to attain 1,000 in a single series.
But even he suggested a greater balance between the disciplines was preferable, warning the sport must not “lose its essence” by favouring batters too heavily.
And McCullum hopes for a reset at Lord’s, where runs proved harder to come back by within the recent World Test Championship final.
Asked what sort of surface England had requested for Thursday’s match, he said: “Something with a bit more pace, a bit more bounce and possibly just a little little bit of sideways (movement), hopefully.
“It’ll be a blockbuster either way, but I believe it’s going to establish for a cracker, especially if there’s loads of life in it.”
There are resulting from be changes in each pace attacks, with India already confirming the return of star seamer Jasprit Bumrah after he was rested in Birmingham and England able to call on Archer for the primary time in over 4 years.
Archer is finally back in red-ball cricket after a litany of injury problems and appears set to feature, despite bowling just 18 overs in a solitary first-class appearance for Sussex.
“He’ll definitely be available for selection. Jofra is looking fit, he’s looking strong, he’s looking able to go and he’ll come into calculations,” said McCullum.
“It’s hugely exciting. He’s buzzing as well. He’s obviously been through his injuries and his outing of Test cricket, but everyone knows what he’s able to achieving and we hope that when the chance does arrive for him, he’s capable of recapture and improve on what he’s been capable of do already.”
Jacob Bethell
One change McCullum has not considered is using Jacob Bethell rather than frontline spinner Shoaib Bashir. The latter’s continued selection continues to spark debate, together with his eight wickets coming at a price of 59.50 in the primary two games against India.
But, while Bethell bowls improving left-arm spin, that just isn’t his current route into the side.
“He’s a batting option. He’s the subsequent one in if something happens, but we don’t crowbar anything,” McCullum confirmed.
“He’s obviously a young guy, he’s got an immense amount of talent across all disciplines in the sport. He’s taking the chance while he’s got some downtime away from playing and still being across the squad to work on his spin and I believe that’s got to be a very good thing. But that’s definitely not what we’re , in the intervening time, no.”
As for Bashir, he added: “We all know (Bashir) just isn’t the finished article yet, but I feel like he’s convalescing and higher. Because the series wears on, I believe we’ll see him play quite a giant hand.”
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