Reports: England to field three spinners in first Test against India alongside Mark Wood

England are likely to field a spin trio along with Mark Wood as the lone fast bowler as they take on India in the first Test of the five-match series beginning from Thursday, January 25 at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad. According to reports, the pitch for the first Test is expected to be a rank-turner and England are pondering over fielding a spin-dominant attack for the series opener.

Hence, if England go ahead with the said plan, left-arm spinner Tom Hartley will be handed his debut cap and will form a three-pronged spin attack with Rehan Ahmed and Jack Leach. Ahmed has played just one Test so far as he picked up a fifer on his debut against Pakistan in Karachi in December 2022. On the other hand, Leach will be making a comeback after almost eight months having missed the Ashes 2023 due to a back stress fracture.

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Notably, it will be the second tour to India for the 32-year-old who finished as the leading wicket-taker for his side during the 2021 series with 18 scalps from seven innings at an average of 28.72. It will not be the first time that the Three Lions will be opting for a spin-heavy bowling attack as they picked James Anderson as the only seamer in the playing XI during the fourth Test of the previous tour (2021) in Ahmedabad.

Australia won the third Test with three spinners in 2023

However, Anderson was supported by Ben Stokes during that game, who will not be bowling in this series having undergone knee surgery post the ODI World Cup 2023. Earlier in 2023, Australia also opted for three spinners during the third and fourth Test of the series in India which resulted in a win during the third game.

Hence, England’s ploy could well work in their favour as they prepare to end India’s 11-year-long unbeaten run in home Tests. Notably, under the leadership of Ben Stokes, England are yet to lose a series which further takes the excitement for the upcoming series to another level.

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England's squad for Test series against India

Ben Stokes, Rehan Ahmed, James Anderson, Gus Atkinson, Jonny Bairstow, Shoaib Bashir, Dan Lawrence, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ben Foakes, Tom Hartley, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Mark Wood