Usually when a side achieves such a crushing victory as England did in the second test against India in Mumbai, then the side for the next match picks itself. The only changes are generally enforced by injury, yet as England look forward to the third test starting tomorrow in Kolkata coach Andy Flower possesses a series of selection headaches.
Despite winning by ten wickets, a significant margin, there are still doubts over the form of several England players, an issue complicated further by the return to availability of Ian Bell and Steven Finn. The most pressing issue is who to select as the second seamer in England’s bowling attack alongside James Anderson. Spinner Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar pick themselves after their remarkable performances in the last match, and with another turning wicket promised they are likely to have a crucial role to play.
Yet the fourth place in the bowling attack is up for grabs. Stuart Broad is the current incumbent, but England’s vice-captain has had a torrid time in India to date, struggling with fitness and form. One of England’s most consistent performers over the past twelve months; Broad’s form has slipped and he hasn’t picked up a wicket in the first two tests, nor has his economy rate been impressive. In Mumbai he only bowled 12 overs, and wasn’t called upon at all by Captain Alastair Cook in the second innings, casting doubts over his security in the team.
In contrast Steven Finn has been in fine form of late taking 4-50 in the latest warm up match, and having recovered from the thigh injury which has kept him out of the first two tests, he appears favourite to occupy that birth. Whereas Broad has struggled for out and out pace, Finn possesses that in the abundance, and on a pitch which is unlikely to favour the fast bowlers in terms of seam or swing movement, the ability to hurl a ball forth at 90+ miles per hour poses another problem for the batsman. Other potential options are Graeme Onions and Tim Bresnan, but the decision seems to be between Broad and Finn, with the latter looking likely to take to the field in Kolkata.
As former England wicketkeeper Alec Stewart has recently remarked, you can’t afford to carry a bowler in your team, especially when the captain only has four at his disposal. By no means would Broad’s exclusion from the side signal the end of his international career. He is a highly respected and talented individual, who is currently going through a bad patch; what will be key is how he comes out of this nadir. Broad has traditionally fared much better on home soil than abroad, and his struggles in the subcontinent conditions have been evident over the past month. One aspect that is in the Nottinghamshire man’s favour is that Broad is by far the more talented batsmen of the two, and without him England would have a significantly longer tail, another aspect for Flower to consider.
The selection issues don’t end there though, as there remain doubts as to what would be England’s best batting line up. Ian Bell returned home to witness the birth of his child and thus missed the second test, but is now once more available for selection. In his place for the second test stepped Yorkshireman Jonny Bairstow, but Bell could return in Kolkata. However Bell’s form hasn’t been stunning in the subcontinent, and along with Jonathan Trott he has struggled in the series to date. The reputation though of the two as established internationals might well see both in England’s XI tomorrow.
In reality only the terrific Alastair Cook, wicketkeeper Matt Prior and enigmatic Kevin Pietersen have impressed for England to date with the bat. Nick Compton has shown glimpses at the top of the order, whilst Joe Root scored an impressive 166 against DY Patil Academy in the last warm up game. The 21 year old is still waiting for his test debut, but such innings’ must put him in the selectors’ minds.
The question is where would he and Bell slot into the team, and to me the obvious spot is in place of all-rounder Samit Patel, who has struggled to make an impression to date. Patel is a solid cricketer, but in my opinion lacks the genuine quality with either bat or ball to be a major success at test level. With two spinners in the team, plus the part time off spin of Kevin Pietersen, Patel is largely surplus to requirements as a bowler, and completed only four overs in the second test. On that logic it should come down to who is the best batsmen, which sadly is not Patel. Four people could occupy two places in the side; Bell, Bairstow, Root and Patel. Picking two out of those four is a challenge which I don’t envy the selectors having to make. However harsh it is on young Joe Root, I’d go for Bell and Bairstow, with Finn as the second seamer. Root’s time will come, and I have no doubt that Stuart Broad will return as a major force to be reckoned with; indeed a rest might do him good. So that’s my prediction, the question is will I be correct? Tomorrow we’ll find out.