Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer, Rory Burns Complete Their Quarantine, Straightaway Hit The Nets In Chennai

England all-rounder Ben Stokes, fast bowler Jofra Archer, and opening batsman Rory Burns are been released from quarantine in Chennai after completing a 6-day mandatory period. Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer have also hit the nets and began their training on Saturday at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, which will host the first two Tests between India and England.

The first half of the 4-match Test series will be played at the Chepauk and the last two Test at the renovated Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad. Stokes, Archer, and Burns, who all were not part of the England series arrived in India a couple of days earlier than their teammates and hence they have been released from isolation.

The entire England squad is still in quarantine as they landed in India from Sri Lanka on Wednesday and they will get the opportunity to train from 2nd February. They have cleared their second round of covid-19 testing.

“The first group of players – Archer, Burns, and Stokes – will practice each morning for the next three days. They are limited to a two-hour session,” England’s media manager, Danny Reuben said.

“The entire England touring party received their second PCR COVID-19 test yesterday. All results returned negative results,” he added.

First training session in India for these three ✅

Loving the No Shoes Run from @JofraArcher ? pic.twitter.com/geGXGWVbae

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) January 30, 2021

 

Ben Stokes and England in form ahead of India series

While England lost 4-0 on their previous visit to the subcontinent giants, however, their squad looked more equipped to face the challenges this time. Almost every member of the squad has good performances in Test cricket since the sport resumed in the pandemic era.

Speaking of Ben Stokes, the vice-captain of the side, the left-hander averaged 58 last year with the bat and just 18 with the ball- he has the penchant for making match-winning contributions.

Skipper, Joe Root himself has found his mojo back after a long time of failing to convert the fifties to centuries – the right-hander smashed two centuries in as many games in Sri Lanka and led his side to a clean sweep over the Islanders. While their pacers are already a renowned world-class attack, England’s spinners, Dom Bess and Jack Leach were amongst wickets in their recent Test matches, especially away from home.

England has won their last 4 Test series – against South Africa, West Indies, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka – and it the subcontinent giants who they take on next. Virat Kohli’s team is also coming off a historic Test series victory in Australia.

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