Batsmen on both sides are set to face a stiff examination when an England team without Ben Stokes face India in the first Test in Nottingham starting on Wednesday. There are worries too about India's batsmen ahead of a five-match campaign that comes 50 years after the tourists' first series win in England. "We expect England to give us such wickets, this is their home conditions," said vice-captain Rahane, with India having been in England for several weeks since a World Test Championship final loss to New Zealand. England and India, two of world cricket's biggest drawcards, have made little concession to the coronavirus by continuing to pursue packed schedules that can be especially onerous for multi-format stars such as Stokes. Root, while acknowledging the value of personal runs, said: "Test cricket is not about you as an individual.

Source: News 24 August 03, 2021 01:18 UTC