ICC World Cup 2019 | England’s Predicted XI for the Sunday showdown against India in Birmingham
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After seeing their dreams being on a downhill ride after the loss against Australia, England will have a do-or-die situation in front of them when they will take on India in Birmingham. While Jofra Archer is doubtful for the game, Jason Roy may make a comeback to the team after injury recovery.
Openers
Jason Roy: Roy brings more than just some explosive runs to the table and his effectiveness could be judged from the spectacular English collapse in the games following his injury. As the hosts expect their opener to be fit for the clash against India, English fans would hope that he will put behind the injury lethargy and strike gold instantly.Â
Jonny Bairstow: Roy’s departure after the Windies clash also brought bad luck to his partner Jonny Bairstow as the Yorkshire man suffered two back to back failures - against Australia and Sri Lanka - and in desperate need of another big one. Surely, he is capable enough and his improved play against spin would also keep him in good stead in the spin-friendly wicket of Edgbaston.
Middle-order
Joe Root: Remember 2018? After entire England crumbled in the face of Kuldeep Yadav magic in the first game, Joe Root found tune to it and his two centuries in the next two games was the major reason behind the hosts winning it 2-1. Something similar can never be ruled out and it is India who will be careful.
Eoin Morgan: It is kind of bittersweet irony that Morgan’s innings against Afghanistan - a sure-shot nomination for one of the all-time best WC innings - has been sandwiched between some terrible lows. As Kevin Pietersen pointed out, he was not convinced in the manner Morgan played Mitchell Starc and now, the time has come for the English skipper to shed away the thoughts and play a big one.
Ben Stokes: His mental toughness has never been open to question and the way he fought hard against all odds was one of the reasons why he is rated so highly. With batting being sorted, Stokes should try to better his bowling performances, which has gone downhill ever since the game against Bangladesh.
Jos Buttler: Such has been Jos Buttler’s incredible consistency that one would have hard pressed to find an innings of less substance. But it came and at the biggest stage of them all - the World Cup and Buttler seems to have come to a position where he would desperately need an innings to keep the team alive.
All-rounders
Moeen Ali: The spin-friendly reputation of Edgbaston will lure Moeen for sure and don’t be surprised if he comes as a first change bowler to keep the Indians a check in the first powerplay. He will be a vital cog in the team as far as the batting is concerned.Â
Liam Plunkett: Jofra Archer bowled a little in the nets today and there is a possibility that he might miss out against India, as Morgan suggested in his press conference today. Liam Plunkett comes into the equation straightaway in that scenario to add depth to the batting and bowling line-up.
Spinner
Adil Rashid: The leggie’s incredible record against Virat Kohli will make him one of England’s trump cards for the game. There is a fair reason for that - not least the angle factor that he brings in to his right-handed dominated batting line-up - and if Rashid can do well against the Indian skipper, then England will win half the battle without really having to do anything.
Pacers
Chris Woakes: While the English pacer has always been among the wickets, his role will be magnified if Archer sits out tomorrow. His ability to move the ball both ways will be a reason of worry for the Indians and Woakes’ ability to add substance to the batting will keep England in good stead.
Mark Wood: His express pace has been England’s biggest strength so far and even though the batsmen have failed to get going, Wood hasn’t compromised with his pace one bit. He will share the new ball with Plunkett tomorrow, in case Archer doesn’t get fit in time, and will be a cause of worry for the Indian batsmen.
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