ENG vs IND: England’s probable playing XI for the 4th Test

ENG vs IND: England’s probable playing XI for the 4th Test

England Cricket Team

After three enthralling games of cricket, England are all set to cross swords with India in the fourth Test of the five-match series. The high voltage fixture will be played from September 2 to September 6 at the Kennington Oval in London.

Team England will start the fourth Test as favorites as they completely outclassed India in the Leeds Test by an innings and 76 runs. The hosts had a dismal start to the five-match series as they lost the Lord’s Test after the first match ended in a draw.

However, the team defied all odds during the Headingley Test to level the series by 1-1. England isn’t expected to meddle with their playing XI as they will fancy playing the winning combination. The opening duo of Rory Burns and Haseeb Hameed finally found their rhythm with the willow. 

Thus no changes are expected at the top of the order. Dawid Malan was also impressive while playing his first Test of the series. The 33-year-old plated a sublime knock of 70 runs during the last match to contribute towards his team’s victory. Malan will be followed by the skipper Joe Root who has been exceptional this year.

Jos Buttler to miss the fourth Test for England

England
Jos Buttler

While Jonny Bairstow will walk at number five for England, the team will be missing the services of their first-choice wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler. The keeper has pulled out his name from the fourth Test as he and his wife are expecting the birth of their second child in the coming days. 

In the absence of Buttler, Bairstow is the prime contender for keeping wickets for the Three Lions. Also, there is a close fight between Dan Lawrence and Ollie Pope to replace Buttler as a batsman in the team. Both Lawrence and Pope have performed decently in the past and will be looking forward to making a mark if given a chance. 

Moeen Ali will be the only spinner in the side while Sam Curran, Craig Overton, Ollie Robinson, James Anderson form the pace attack. No changes are expected in the bowling unit as all the bowlers have contributed significantly towards the team’s mind-boggling performance. 

England’s probable playing XI against India: Rory Burns, Haseeb Hameed, Dawid Malan, Joe Root (c), Jonny Bairstow (wk), Dan Lawrence/Ollie Pope, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Craig Overton, Ollie Robinson, James Anderson

Also Read: ENG vs IND: India’s probable playing XI for the 4th Test