England Playing XI for 2nd India Test: Jofra Archer benched as Ben Stokes & Co. go unchanged

England had made just one change to their squad for the second Test.

England has a head start. Despite the unavailability of pacers like Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Mark Wood, and Olly Stone, the Three Lions are 1-0 ahead in the 5-match Test series against India. Now, one of the pacers is available for selection.

No Jofra Archer

Archer played a first-class match after 4 years. After bowling just 18 overs for Surrey, England feels he’s ready. The express pacer is part of the squad for the second Test. Everyone knows what Archer brings to the table. The question remains: Is it right to throw him in or not?

The answer is no. England have named an unchanged playing XI for the 2nd India Test at Edgbaston. Perhaps they don’t think Archer is to reach the required match fitness. But then the question arises: why didn’t Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum let him play a couple of games for Surrey in the County Championship?

There were two reasons to select him. One because he’s perhaps the best bowler they have. He may not have the reps in Test cricket but in potential, no one comes close to him. The second is perhaps more important. England have already won one Test without Archer against India and will back themselves to win the series.

However, they will want to test Archer, keeping the Ashes in mind. Later this year, they’ll tour Australia. Before doing so, England will want to test his fitness. Whether he’ll be able to withstand the grind of red-ball cricket once again. And this is the best time to do it since this will be England’s last Test series before the Ashes.

According to TNT Sports, Archer missed one of England’s training sessions due to some family emergency. But that didn’t have any implication on his selection. He’s set to join the side soon.

Why England decided to stick with the same XI

But they have decided otherwise. England won’t drop Shoaib Bashir, as he’s their lone spinner and someone who bowled the most overs for them, 49, in Headingley. Brydon Carse may have gotten just 4 wickets, but he was their sharpest pacer alongside Stokes.

Chris Woakes was nowhere near his best. Took only 1 wicket. But scored a crucial 38-run knock in the first innings to ensure the deficit was just 6. As the India vs England Test series goes on, Woakes will get only better. He’s the most experienced pacer they have and having him at number 8 gives England the assurance of valuable lower-order runs.

The last bowler is Josh Tongue. He took the most wickets in the first Test, 7, and cleaned up the tail. It’s something that England has struggled with for a few years and can bowl a heavy ball as well. His height assists him in bowling the short ball as well.

England Playing XI for 2nd India Test

Batters: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith (wk)

All-rounders: Ben Stokes (c), Chris Woakes

Bowlers:  Brydon Carse, Shoaib Bashir, Josh Tongue

Bench: Jacob Bethell, Sam Cook, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer