England will field the same XI at Edgbaston that secured their thrilling run chase victory against India at Headingley.
Although Jofra Archer has returned to England’s Test squad after more than four years, he will have to wait longer for a match appearance. England have made no changes to the team that won at Headingley when naming their lineup for the second Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, starting Wednesday.
In the first Test, England chased down a target of 371 runs to claim a memorable five-wicket win. India, despite scoring five centuries in the match, suffered a rare defeat — a first in their 148-year Test history.
After strong starts from India in both innings, England’s bowlers fought back. They took the last seven wickets for just 41 runs in the first innings, and six wickets for 31 runs in the second.
Pacer Josh Tong claimed seven wickets overall, while the pace and swing of Brydon Carse impressed. Experienced pace bowling all-rounder Chris Woakes took only one wicket but contributed a valuable 38 runs with the bat in the first innings.
Archer was recalled to the 15-man squad last week but hasn’t played a Test since February 2021, when he last appeared against India in Ahmedabad.
A series of injuries have kept him sidelined for long periods, though he has featured in some limited-overs matches for England in the meantime.
Last week, Archer made his return to first-class cricket for Sussex after more than four years. In a drawn County Championship match against Durham, he bowled 18 overs, conceding 32 runs and taking one wicket. Shortly after, he received the Test call-up.
Though he’s not in the playing XI yet, the 30-year-old pacer could make his Test return for England at Lord’s in the third match of the series.
Interestingly, India have never won a Test at Edgbaston. Out of eight Tests played there, they have lost seven and drawn one.
England’s XI for the second Test
Jack Leach, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (Captain), Jamie Smith (Wicketkeeper), Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Josh Tong, Shaheen Bashir.
