ENG vs IND 2018: England Recall James Vince For Fourth Test

England have recalled James Vince to their 14-man squad for the fourth England vs India Test, scheduled to be played in Southampton from August 30.

Vince last played for England in Christchurch in April against New Zealand. He earned his recall for his excellent form in the  County Championship. The Hampshire captain averages 56 in Division One this summer and made scores of 74 and 147 for his county in their win against Nottinghamshire at the Ageas Bowl this week.

Commenting on the selection of the squad, National Selector Ed Smith, said that Vince would provide cover to Jonny Bairstow. The wicketkeeper-batsman had fractured his left-middle finger while keeping at Trent Bridge. And although there are doubts over his participation, the selection panel has taken the gamble.

Alastair Cook has also been named in the squad. There were doubts over his presence as his wife is due to give birth to the couple’s third child. On the other hand, Jamie Porter has been finally omitted from the squad.

“The selection panel felt this was the right time to reintroduce James Vince to the Test squad. James will provide cover in case Jonny Bairstow’s fractured finger prevents him playing in the fourth Test match,” Smith said.

“James returns to the England set-up in confident form and scoring runs. He has been in excellent form for Hampshire in the Specsavers County Championship, with 847 runs at 56.46, including 74 and 147 this week – runs that shaped Hampshire’s win against Nottinghamshire. James’ match-winning runs also helped Hampshire to win the Royal London Cup earlier this summer.

“Jamie Porter has been part of the last three Test squads. But the selection panel did not want him to miss the opportunity of playing for Essex in the next round of championship matches. He will return to the squad in the event of an injury to a seam bowler,” he added.

England thrashed at Trent Bridge:

Both India and England had entered the Test on the back of contrasting results in the first two Tests. England had throughly dominated the first two games to take a 2-0 lead.  The way India’s batting had capitulated at Lord’s, not many would have predicted them to win the Trent Bridge game.

However, the Virat Kohli-led side bounced back in style to prove the naysayers wrong and thrashed England by 203 runs to keep the series alive.

Barring the toss, not much went right for Joe Root & Co. The England skipper did not have any hesitation in asking the visitors to bat first in the testing conditions. But any hopes of seeing the Indian batting falling apart in swinging conditions was soon thwarted. India rode on fifties from Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane to post a challenging 329.

In reply, Joe Root’s men were all out for just 161. Alastair Cook and Keaton Jennings had given the team a good start by adding 54 runs. But once both the openers departed on successive deliveries, the rest of the batting lineup fell like a pack of cards.  Hardik Pandya was the star of the show, picking up his maiden five-wicket haul in Tests for just 28 runs.

India’s batting clicked in the second essay too. Kohli once again led from the front, scoring a sublime 103. Cheteshwar Pujara and Hardik Pandya also scored fifties as India declared their innings on 352 for 7, thus setting England a target of 521. England were staring down the barrel after being reduced to 62 for 4. Jos Buttler then scored his maiden Test ton, scoring 106 and added 169 runs with Ben Stokes to give his team a glimmer of hope.

However, Jasprit Bumrah’s five-wicket haul dashed England’s hopes. The hosts were eventually all out for 317 as India won the game by 203 runs.

England currently lead the series 2-1.

England’s 14-man squad:

Joe Root (c), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow (w), Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Alastair Cook, Sam Curran, Keaton Jennings, Ollie Pope, Adil Rashid, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes, James Vince