The second unofficial Test between England Lions and India A is set to commence on June 6 at the County Ground in Northampton.
After a run-fest in Canterbury where both sides crossed 550 in the first innnings, this match again will be seen as an audition for the players eyeing a spot in their respective teams for the upcoming Test series between England and India, starting June 20. As this match comes just a fortnight before the series-opener, it will be watched very closely.
KL Rahul’s return to the line-up is something to look forward to. Rahul was initially not scheduled to play this fixture but he requested the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to include him in the India A squad so that he could get some game time before the Test series versus England.
Karun Nair smashed a marathon double hundred in the first match. Dhruv Jurel scored fifties in both the innings. Sarfaraz Khan played a 92-run knock in the first innings, while Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran and Nitish Kumar Reddy notched up their half-centuries in the second innings.
On the England Lions’ side, Chris Woakes and Josh Tongue will be making their comebacks from injuries. The Lions' batting unit, featuring players like Tom Haines, Max Holden and Dan Mousley, will aim to build on their centuries from the first match and provide a stern test for the Indian bowlers.
England Lions vs India A: Where to Watch Live
England Lions vs India A Pitch Report: County Ground, Northampton
The pitch at the County Ground in Northampton is generally in favour of the batters. It is the kind of pitch where you want to win the toss and get runs on the board while the going is good. As the surface wears on, bowlers come into play. Both pacers and spinners can have their say here, depending on how they use the conditions.
England Lions vs India A: Predicted Playing XIs
England Lions: Tom Haines, Ben McKinney, Emilio Gay, Max Holden, James Rew (wk/c), Dan Mousley, Chris Woakes, Rehan Ahmed, Zaman Akhter, Josh Hull, Josh Tongue
India A: Abhimanyu Easwaran (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Karun Nair, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shardul Thakur, Akash Deep, Anshul Kamboj, Mukesh Kumar
England Lions vs India A: Dream11 Top 5 Players
England Lions | India A |
Tom Haines | Dhruv Jurel |
Dan Mousley | Yashasvi Jaiswal |
Zaman Akhter | Karun Nair |
Max Holden | Nitish Kumar Reddy |
Rehan Ahmed | Shardul Thakur |
England Lions vs India A: Dream11 Fantasy Team
For more live updates of India A vs England Lions:
India A vs England Lions live scorecard
