England are all set to take on India in the five-match Test series starting January 25 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. England are the only team to have defeated India in a Test series in India in the last 12 years. However, their recent tours of India have not been promising as they faced humiliating defeats in both the series.
The Indian team, on the other hand, will be the favorite to win the series, due to their lethal spin attack and also England’s struggle to play against spin. India has performed magnificently in recent years of international cricket and has proven to be one of the best teams of the modern era.
England would try to repeat their 2012 performance in India and win the series. England have been brilliant under the leadership of Ben Stokes as they are yet to lose a Test series. England pacer Mark Wood, while speaking at the press conference ahead of the IND vs ENG first test match, spoke about the team’s approach to him.
England have been playing Test cricket with a ‘bazball’ approach, ever since former New Zealand batsman Brendon McCullum became the head coach of the Test team. ‘Baz’ is the nickname of McCullum, who used to destroy opposing bowlers with his aggressive and offensive batting. England have been playing Test cricket the same way these days and have provided a lot of entertainment in the red ball format.
Mark Wood stated that England will not play with a defensive approach and will look to attack from day 1. Wood stated that England will try to take on the game and always make positive options. Wood added that the team will be willing to absorb that pressure when the Indian batsmen are on top and put pressure back on the Indian team.
Mark Wood on England’s plans for first Test against India
Mark Wood said: “I don’t think it’s defensive,” the fast bowler said of England’s approach. “We will still try to face the game and take the positive option. I think sometimes it’s just being smart… for example, if India bowls well, that can be an opportunity to just ‘consolidate and sit back’ and then when the opportunity comes to apply pressure again, that’s when we go back to Press. in. “It’s not just enthusiasm all the time.”
“I guess it’s about absorbing that pressure when necessary… it could be when the Indian batsmen are on top, we have to absorb that pressure, try to create a bit of, I guess, theatrics, drama and a bit of consistency. on the field and when the time comes to attack again, attack hard. And that is the same with both the bat and the ball.”
Mark Wood further spoke about the bowling bouncers in the first Test. Wood further acknowledged Rohit Sharma’s quality in playing the short ball well, but stated that it does not mean that he will not bowl a short ball to him.
Mark Wood said: “I think we assess the conditions when you’re out there. Bouncer can be someone who bowls very rarely or perhaps one who bowls very frequently. But I don’t think I’d know until I’ve thrown the first ball on the field, if I get picked. When I throw to that goalie, if the throw is going to be two-paced, that can sometimes help.”
“If he gets slow again, that can help sometimes, the batsman can put an end to that. Someone like Rohit, I know how good he is with the short ball. But that doesn’t necessarily mean I won’t throw at a bouncer, it just means I have to be very precise with it and throw it at the right time.”
The IND vs ENG Test series is also very important from the World Test Championship point of view and both teams will try to get the necessary points on the board.
