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England’s (ENG) pace attack is struggling ahead of the five-match Test series against India (IND), set to begin on 20 June at Headingley. The team is already missing key pacer Jofra Archer for the first Test, while Josh Tongue suffered an injury during the England Lions match against India A.
Right-arm pacer Mark Wood has been ruled out for the entire summer, and Gus Atkinson is still recovering from a hamstring injury sustained in the one-off Test against Zimbabwe. In response, England have called up 19-year-old Eddie Jack as cover. Notably, Jack has played only two first-class matches, both against India A, with both games ending in draws.
England’s pace department appears weak, making them heavily reliant on Chris Woakes. The 36-year-old has played 57 Tests and is the most capped bowler in the squad. After suffering an ankle injury in the SA20, he returned to competitive cricket only in late May. Meanwhile, Archer’s much-anticipated return to red-ball cricket has been pushed back to the second Test, but he is unlikely to feature in all four matches due to England’s priority being the Ashes.
Cook’s new-ball role and Stokes’ fitness concerns hold key for England
Youngster Sam Cook has played just one Test and is expected to share the new ball with Woakes. Cook has an impressive first-class record, having picked up 322 wickets in 90 matches at an average of 20.16. Jamie Overton has been included for his ability to hit the deck hard, while Brydon Carse could be a crucial option. Carse has played five Tests, including an impressive 10-wicket match haul at Christchurch in December 2024.
England may also look to their captain, Ben Stokes, for support in the bowling department. He had undergone a hamstring injury and bowled 11 overs against Zimbabwe at Nottingham. During the period between July 2023 and February 2024, Stokes refrained from bowling, except for a brief spell against India in Dharamsala. In terms of spin, England will rely on the young Shoaib Bashir, with Joe Root expected to contribute as well.
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