India-England series
England make two changes in playing XI for Ranchi Test
|| ICC ||
England have recalled Ollie Robinson and Shoaib Bashir for the fourth Test against India in Ranchi, starting on 23 February.
On the eve of the fourth Test against India in Ranchi, England announced their playing XI with two changes from the side that played in the last match in Rajkot.
Robinson is set to play his first Test since suffering from a back spasm in the first innings of the third Ashes Test last July, replacing Mark Wood. This will be Robinson's first outing in India. He will accompany James Anderson who managed only one wicket in the Rajkot Test in the two innings.
All eyes will be on whether Ben Stokes decides to bowl, as he hinted at a possible return to bowling duties for the remainder of the series in India. He revealed that he has been practicing during the warm-ups between Tests.
The change comes as no surprise as England have looked to shuffle their fast bowlers to manage workload through the series and adapt according to what the playing conditions might offer.
Bashir, who played his debut Test in Visakhapatnam, also finds a spot in the side in place of Rehan Ahmed. The leg-spinner took 3/138 and 1/58 in the second match. Tom Hartley continues to hold his position in the side while Joe Root will continue to shoulder spin-bowling duties.
The batting line-up of the England team remains untouched for the fourth consecutive match.
England XI:
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes (C), Ben Foakes, Tom Hartley, Ollie Robinson, James Anderson, Shoaib Bashir