(Image Source: Reuters)
[Saba Sports News] England faces a formidable challenge in their upcoming five-Test series in India, a country where they last won a series in 2012. Despite their recent struggles in India, losing in 2016 and 2021, the current team under Ben Stokes and the ‘Bazball’ approach is considered capable of pushing India.
Former England fast bowler Steve Harmison criticized the team’s preparation, expressing his skepticism about their readiness for the challenging conditions in India. Harmison harshly predicted a 5-0 whitewash for England, highlighting the importance of adequate preparation for the series.
Harmison remarked, “If England go in three days before, they deserve to get beat 5-0… You cannot go into India underprepared.” He acknowledged the changes in cricket over time but insisted that the need for thorough preparation remains constant. “You cannot go into India underprepared. [In fact], you cannot go into India over-prepared. You could be in India six weeks before and still not be prepared for that first Test and the emotion of that. To be honest, I love this new approach. I love Ben Stokes, the Brendon McCullum approach, obviously Rob Key, and everything that they have done, ECB have done. But I’m sorry, going in three days before [the India series]. You would never do that for an Ashes Test series.”
In response to Harmison’s comments, England captain Ben Stokes sarcastically pointed out the team’s planned preparatory camp in the UAE before heading to India. “Good job we’re going to Abu Dhabi for a training camp before we go to India for even more training before that 1st Test then isn’t it,” Stokes replied on social media.
England’s squad for the India series includes uncapped spinners Tom Hartley and Shoaib Bashir, fast bowler Gus Atkinson, and veteran James Anderson. The series will span across various venues in India, including Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Rajkot, Ranchi, and Dharamsala.