ENG vs IND: Shane Warne suggests two changes in England’s lineup for fourth Test

After the humiliating 151-run loss in the Lord’s Test, England made a stupendous comeback in the third Test. On Saturday, Joe Root and Co. won by an innings and 76 runs to level the five-match series 1-1. In the meantime, despite the victory, former Australian cricketer Shane Warne has suggested a couple of changes in the Three Lions’ lineup for the fourth Test.

The penultimate game of the series is scheduled to get underway on September 2 at the Kennington Oval in London. Warne mentioned that the Brits should bench Sam Curran, who hasn’t done much in the series with bat and ball. The spin wizard said that the hosts should look to include Jack Leach or Matt Parkinson if the pitch at the KIA Oval turns out to be spin-friendly.

Sam Curran is a ‘bits-and-pieces’ cricketer for Tests: Shane Warne

“Sometimes we are too quick to criticise a batting side when they fall over and, in this case, I think we have to say well done to England. I don’t think Curran plays [in the next Test]. As the fourth seamer batting at No 8, he hasn’t scored a hundred or taken a five-for, I don’t see what he is in the team for,” Warne told on Sky Sports.

“He is a good cricketer but a bit ‘bits-and-pieces’ for Test cricket. I would like to see something more specific, whether that’s Wood or a spinner if it is going to turn. Maybe a Leach or a Parkinson,” he stated.

Warne also reckoned that with Dawid Malan back in the scheme of things, England’s Test team looks a formidable unit. Malan returned to the Test side after a gap of three years. Warne also called for Zak Crawley to open the batting.

“The side just looks better with Malan at No 3, although I would have Zak Crawley opening the batting as I think he is a talented player with a lot to offer. Him opening and Malan at No 3 and that batting line-up suddenly looks very good,” Warne added.

In 15 Tests, Crawley has notched 737 runs at an average of 28.34 with one century and four half-centuries. In 61 first-class games, the right-hander has amassed over 3,000 runs with five centuries.