England set to overlook Anderson

England are set to overlook a fit-again James Anderson and stick with an unchanged team for their second Test against India in Vizag this week.

Anderson, his country's all-time leading wicket-taker, has done enough in the nets during the first Test in Rajkot since his arrival after recovering from a stress fracture of his shoulder to convince England's medical team he is ready to play this week if needed.

But after England's admirable performance to take the honours in a drawn series opener – one Trevor Bayliss describes as the best in his 18-month tenure as coach – the same XI is set to take the field again on Thursday.

There appears little doubt that the pitch this week will favour spin significantly more than in Rajkot.

As such, England are expected to again deploy three spinners and three seamers, including four allrounders who will ensure as much batting depth as possible on a surface sure to play to the strengths of the hosts.

That means Anderson will have to wait another week to push to reclaim his spot for his first match in more than three months – the third Test in Mohali – where it remains to be seen whether predictions of conditions to suit the pace bowlers is born out.

Bayliss made clear that the management anticipate retaining the same line-up, having switched only Gary Ballance for debutant opener Haseeb Hameed following a shock defeat to Bangladesh in Dhaka, before arriving in India.

"We did say before Bangladesh that seven Tests in eight weeks would be difficult, and we would change guys, but I'm not envisaging any changes," he said.

"We will look at Jimmy. He's coming along pretty well."

England finished the first Test on the front foot on Sunday, with India digging deep on 172 for six to close out the stalemate, thanks to an unbeaten 49 from Kohli.

Bayliss added: "I thought, effort-wise, it's probably the best performance since I have been with the team.

"The energy and effort over five days was close to complete."

Meanwhile, Geoffrey Boycott has given a glowing assessment of England's latest opener Haseeb Hameed and revealed he is "flattered" by the Lancashire teenager's 'Baby Boycott' nickname.

England's struggles to find an opening partner for Alastair Cook following Andrew Strauss' retirement four years ago have been exhaustive, but Hameed seemed a natural fit in the drawn first Test against India in Rajkot.

The 19-year-old displayed remarkable maturity on his international debut - especially during a second innings of 82 in which he, at times, outshone the veteran Cook.

Indeed Boycott, a former England opener himself, believes Hameed's bow was as impressive as the England captain's against the same opposition in 2006.

In his column for the Daily Telegraph, Boycott said: "Hameed looks the part. The last time I saw an English youngster take to Test match cricket so comfortably and appear so composed, unfazed and at ease was his captain and opening partner Alastair Cook 10 years ago in Nagpur against India, where he made 60 and 104 not out.

"The kid is born for Test match cricket, like Cook."

Cook has gone on to become the first Englishman to go past 10,000 runs in Tests and registered his 30th century on Sunday, but Boycott is wary of placing similar expectations on Hameed's shoulders.

"People should not expect too much from him too soon. We have not seen him tested by short balls because there are hardly any genuine speedsters in county or Test cricket," Boycott added.

"He will have a few downs as well as plenty of success but none of us are the finished product when we start our international careers."

Hameed's technique was honed by his father showing him videos of Boycott while growing up and his patience at the crease in an age of skyrocketing strike-rates has been noted - and has undoubtedly contributed to his sobriquet.

Boycott added: "I am flattered that Hameed is known as 'Baby Boycott'. It is a compliment to me that his father showed him videos of me and wanted him to watch my technique.

"He is not a modern player. The modern player has grown up with crash, bang, wallop Twenty20 and having to play cricket's answer to baseball.

"This kid plays as if he could have played in my era on uncovered pitches because he seems to have the temperament, patience, concentration and technique."

 

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