Michael Atherton feels that the move to bring in Mark Wood for the Rajkot Test will make England less vulnerable at the toss and will provide some more support from the seam department.
England decided to rope in Wood for Shoaib Bashir, who, despite picking 4 wickets in the Vizag Test, was asked to sit out in favour of the returning pacer. The tearaway fast bowler played the first match in Hyderabad, but went wicketless despite bowling 25 overs.
This was the only change that England made for the Rajkot game.
Stokes had suggested during the press conference that having Wood in the lineup would give them the best chance of winning in Rajkot. This is something that Atherton agreed to on Sky Sports, as he said that it was the right thing to do and even if the toss goes against them, they have enough firepower in the attack.
“They slightly changed the balance of the side bringing in the extra seamer, which I think is the right thing to do. It makes England less vulnerable at the toss. If the coin goes against them, it gives them a little bit more of firepower in the attack. They still got plenty of spin options as well. So I think it is a better balanced side for the conditions,” said Atherton.
They will have each other to lean on: Atherton on Wood-Anderson
This will be the first time James Anderson and Mark Wood will be bowling in tandem during the series. Atherton feels the duo will have an advantage that they will have each other to lean on and there will a bit more support in the seam department.
“He’s an incredible cricketer. Had a difficult summer, but he is 41 years of age now. So, he is no spring chicken. He bowled brilliantly in the last Test match. He will have a lot more support with Mark Wood here in this game. Wood himself played as a lone seamer in the last game.”
“It’s an advantage for both of them that they have each other to lean on and have little bit more support in the seam department,” said Atherton.
England playing XI for Rajkot Test
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes (C), Ben Foakes, Rehan Ahmed, Tom Hartley, Mark Wood, James Anderson.
