India defeated England by 157 runs in the 4th Test match to take a 2-1 lead in the five-match Test series. The hosts are anxious about the availability of James Anderson and Ollie Robinson before the 5th and final Test. Furthermore, England captain Joe Root noted that the side will examine the fitness of pace spearheads well before the final Test.
Now with the 5th Test set to begin on Friday (10th September), the bowling attack has only a few days to rest. Robinson and Anderson have been the motivating factors behind England’s bowling strategy. Despite their recent form, Root would like them to be a part of the group for the important clash.
“These two days are really important for recovery, making sure they’re in a position to play Test cricket. I think one thing you have to do is trust the medical advice that’s been given, speak to the guys that understand the science behind this and also speak to the players as well that know their own bodies better than anybody else,” Joe Root said.
It can very quickly spread like wildfire: Joe Root
Root also stated that they don’t want a player who was prone to injury in the team. He went on to say that the team would like to do whatever was best for the players.
“You never want to go into a Test match playing someone at risk of injury. You want to make sure you do the best thing for the player but you also don’t want to go into a Test match and someone goes down injured and you’ve got one less bowler at your disposal,” Root added.
The Indian squad has shown remarkable courage in coming from behind to grab a 2-1 series lead. As a result, England’s captain believes that the team must try to deal with pressure situations since it is during these brief intervals that the game’s prospects may shift. He also stated that the players must rise up for the side and strengthen the team to reach a great position.
“Within this series, there have been half-an-hour periods in the game where we’ve not managed it as well as them and it’s really cost us and we’re sat 2-1 down instead of potentially 3-0. Can you be the one to go and make that big score and to really put us in a position of strength, be part of a really big partnership? It just takes that one person to go on and do it. It can very quickly spread like wildfire, feed into the rest of the group so hopefully, that can materialize this week,” Root added.
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