India vs England: Anderson, Bess left out for second Test
England have announced their 12-man team for the second Test against India, starting February 13 in Chennai. Fast bowler James Anderson and off-spinner Dominic Bess are the two big omissions from the squad. England are already without wicket-keeper Jos Buttler and fast bowler Jofra Archer. The likes of Moeen Ali, Stuart Broad, Chris Woakes, Ben Foakes and Olly Stone have been brought in.
A look at England's 12-member squad for second Test
England's 12-member squad for the second Test: Joe Root (captain), Rory Burns, Dom Sibley, Daniel Lawrence, Ben Stokes, Ollie Pope, Moeen Ali, Jack Leach, Stuart Broad, Chris Woakes, Ben Foakes and Olly Stone.
Jofra Archer ruled out due to elbow injury
On Friday, pace spearhead Archer was ruled out of the second Test against India due to elbow injury. The fast bowler took an injection in his right elbow after experiencing pain in the opening Test, earlier this week. Therefore, he was unable to train on Thursday for the impending Test, starting February 13. He is likely to recover for the third Test.
Broad has been the front-line seamer in place of Anderson
Broad is likely to replace Archer in the XI, having operated as the front-line seamer in place of Anderson earlier. The former had a terrific summer in 2020 as cricket began in England amid the COVID-19 pandemic. During the season, he scripted history with his 500th Test wicket. He is presently the second-highest wicket-taker in the ICC WTC with 69 scalps at 18.95.
Bess dropped, Moeen to bolster spin-bowling
In a strange decision, off-spinner Bess has been left out even after claiming four wickets in the first Test. Notably, he also bowled as many as 19 full tosses across the match, and looked out of sorts eventually. Meanwhile, all-rounder Moeen Ali has earned a recall, a resource that bolsters the spin segment of England. The latter had earlier recovered from COVID-19.
England lead the four-match series 1-0
England own a 1-0 lead after winning the series opener in Chennai. Skipper Joe Root led from the front, having slammed his fifth double-ton in Test cricket. Meanwhile, the Indians were completely outplayed, and eventually lost the Test by 227 runs. The hosts need to win the impending Test in order to stay alive in ICC WTC qualification race.
