Jofra Archer not playing: The visiting team has made a couple of changes to their Playing XI for the final Test in Ahmedabad.
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During the first day of the fourth Test of the ongoing England’s tour of India in Ahmedabad, England captain Joe Root has won the toss and chose to bat for the third time in this series.
“We’re batting first. We need to make use of the first innings because it’ll spin again very soon so we need to get runs on the board soon. Over the last couple of years we have progressed as a side, and it’d be a great chance to finish a great winter if we win this Test match,” Root told Star Sports during the toss.
“When you have a tough couple of games, we need to be honest, use the coaching staff and players who have experience in these conditions, and this is a good chance for the guys to regroup and give this their all.”
Why is Jofra Archer not playing today’s 4th Test in Ahmedabad?
Trailing by 1-2 in the four-match series, England have made a couple of changes for this match in a bid to play their best combination to push for victory. The fast bowling pair of Stuart Broad and Jofra Archer have been made to sit out to accommodate batsman Dan Lawrence and spinner Dom Bess.
While Root didn’t disclose the reasons behind benching Broad and Archer, it seems the move has been made to both lengthen and strengthen their batting unit. With both Broad and Archer bowling a combined total of 11 overs in the previous Test at the same venue, the English think-tank has sort of gambled with their combination today.
On one hand, Bess’ inclusion has doubtlessly bolstered their three-man spin attack which also includes Root now. However, playing a specialist batsman in Lawrence means that they have a lone specialist pacer in James Anderson.
England sure have the luxury of vice-captain Ben Stokes contributing with the ball as well but the right-arm pacer has only bowled 15 overs in three Tests so far. Hence, it will be interesting to see how Root uses his bowling options in this match at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
So England have included an extra batsman in Dan Lawrence. Suspect Root qualifies as a specialist bowler on these pitches!
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) March 4, 2021
India, on the other hand, have made a solitary like-for-like change by replacing fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah with Mohammed Siraj.
