A Inglaterra pode levar 20 postigos contra a Índia? Broad lança aspersões em meio a preocupações com lesões

Former England cricketer Stuart Broad has questioned the capability of the bowling unit ahead of the five-match Test series against England. At least five England pacers are battling injuries presently, leaving the hosts with an inexperienced bowling line-up for the 1st Test. Both England and India will kick-start their new World Test Championship cycle on June 20 at Headingey, Leeds.

Broad doubts England can take 20 wickets vs India

Speaking to The Times, Broad questioned if England can get 20 wickets, noting that they had many injuries to deal with at the moment. England have now pinned their hopes on a returning Chris Wokaes in the 1st Test. To support him are the inexperienced Brydon Carse and Josh Tongue. Broad reckons that Woakes hasn’t bowled enough in this summer to spearhead England’s pace attack.

“Woakes will probably have the new ball. I love Woakesy, but I am worried about the amount of overs he’s bowled this summer — not enough. He’s someone who needs overs under his belt to get his rhythm. Not like Mark Wood, who can hit the ground running straight away after a layoff — Woakes needs to get going and find his rhythm,” Broad said.

Further, Broad noted that Shoaib Bashir was bound to be picked in the squad as the specialist spinner since the ball would surely spin in Headingley. However, he noted that the rest of the bowling unit were not experienced in terms of playing a high-pressure series against the likes of Australia and India.

“There are some younger guys who have not played in the cauldron and intensity of an India or Australia series and it is the next level of scrutiny. There is real pressure,” Broad added.

England Playing XI for 1st Test

Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes, Jamie Smith, Chris Woakes, Josh Tongue, Brydon Carse and Shoaib Bashir.