ROOT READY FOR A FINAL SPIN OF DICE
ROOKIE BOWLERS IN FRAME TO PLAY
JOE ROOT is well aware of what is at stake this week.
Another win against India in their backyard and 2021 becomes a year of eternal possibilities for him and the Test team.
It halts India’s march to the World Test Championship final and sends England bouncing into a summer against the top two sides in the world full of hope.
Defeat this week, and a heavy one at that, would leave the sort of scars that might be difficult to erase within nine months.
Ever the optimist though, Root has asked his players to be brave with their decision-making in the middle, and he might just be prepared to do the same in picking his team beforehand. Dom Bess is certain to play after India’s vicecaptain Ajinkya Rahane confirmed that England could expect another spin-friendly surface in Ahmedabad.
But in addition to Bess and Jack Leach, England are also considering elevating either 22-yearold Surrey off-spinner Amar Virdi, right, or 24-year-old Lancashire leggie Matt Parkinson from the reserves to make a shock Test debut.
Both were brought on the trip for experience and as emergency options in a Covid world, but conditions have been so extreme they are now in the mix. “We’ll consider our final selection closer to the game but ultimately it is about not having any baggage going into this game,” said Root.
“To have won six out of our last eight in Asia shows we have the tools and the ability to win in these conditions.” There has been a bout of diarrhoea coursing through the England camp this week, but everyone trained yesterday and is available, with Root hoping senior players Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes will be able to join him in setting the standard on the field. It is no coincidence that England’s three Test victories have come on the back of two double hundreds and a third giant ton from Root.
And if England are to turn in what would be an eyebrow-raising win in the fourth Test, Root will almost certainly have to be at the heart of it again, as he will in the Ashes at the end of the year. “It would be a monumental effort from this group,” added Root.
“Although my biggest achievement as captain is still to come. We need to have that strength of character to know that if you get in, you make it count.”