CHENNAI (AFP): England will head into the second Test against India without the likes of star pacers James Anderson and Jofra Archer along with spinner Dom Bess.
The England Cricket Board (ECB) has confirmed that Jofra Archer will miss out because of an elbow injury, while Dom Bess is dropped. Anderson is being rested after inspiring England to a 227-run first Test victory, taking five wickets.
Moeen Ali, Stuart Broad, Ben Foakes, Olly Stone and Chris Woakes come into the 12-man squad. Jos Buttler, who kept wicket in the first Test, is rested for the remainder of the Test series but will return for the Twenty20 matches that follow.
Explaining the decision to drop 23-year-old Bess, captain Joe Root said, “He’s got a very good attitude. He’s still very much at the start of his career and he’ll use this as an opportunity to get better.”
Archer, who made his Test debut against Australia in 2019, took three wickets in the first-Test triumph but experienced discomfort in his elbow. His injury is the second late setback England have suffered on the tour.
Commenting on the inclusion of Olly Stone, the captain said, “Stone is certainly looking very good in and around training. He has a big heart, huge amount of skill and pace as well, and will give variety within the attack if he gets the opportunity to play.”
England has previously also rotated their fast bowlers with either the 38-year-old Anderson or Broad being picked for a Test. The pace duo has claimed 1128 Test wickets between them.
England squad: Joe Root (captain), Rory Burns, Dominic Sibley, Daniel Lawrence, Ben Stokes, Ben Foakes, Ollie Pope, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Jack Leach, Olly Stone, Stuart Broad.
