England Vs India 2018: 1st Test, Birmingham - England's Predicted XI

England will look to start the much-anticipated five-match Test series against India on a high when both dominant teams will clash against each other in the 1st game from August 1 at Edgbaston in Birmingham. Moreover, picking predicted XI has always been a fascinating thing to explain.

Meanwhile, England has been blowing hot and cold in the Test format. In the last 10 bilateral series, they have emerged victorious in four, while they were on losing side in three and three ended drawn.

After a disappointing show in Australia and New Zealand, Joe Root-led side managed to draw the series against Pakistan.

However, they are one of those sides who hardly loses in their own backward. It will be an intensely fought battle India keen to overcome their poor record in this country.

With the bat, Root and Jos Buttler will be the key for English Team. Both are in terrific form who could further trouble the Indian bowlers.

Top-order batsman Alastair Cook also announced his arrival at the right hammering 180 runs in an unofficial four-day Test against India A.

England’s bowling strength relies mainly upon James Anderson and Stuart Broad. They are the best in the business and will have to do the bulk of the job. Moreover, they brought in wrist-spinner Adil Rashid in the squad which has stirred a lot of debates around the County.

England is also likely to go in with a single spinner and Ben Stokes doing the job of a fourth pacer. A lot will be expected out of Stokes and the all-rounder will also be keen to prove his worth against a top Test playing nation.

Here is the predicted XI of England for the 1st Test in Birmingham:

ALASTAIR COOK:

The onus will be on England’s highest Test run-scorer Alastair Cook to deliver against the top-ranked side. Meanwhile, southpaw Cook has been in good touch in the warm-up games and will look to make it big.

The southpaw is known for big innings and if sets his eye in — it will be a tough job for India.

KEATON JENNINGS:

Keaton Jennings is new to international arena and this upcoming series will be the test of his pedigree. However, the southpaw has a century and a half-century to his name and will have to provide steady starts to his team.

England team will bank on their openers to give them good starts so that the middle-order pile on runs banking on them.

JOE ROOT (C):

The England skipper has a boasting statistics against India and will look to carry on with it.

Moreover, Joe Root is coming from the back of some solid performances in the ODI series.

Root, one of the best batters of spin in England batting ranks, will decide the fate of this series.

DAWID MALAN:

Dawid Malan had a very poor series against Pakistan with the highest score of only 28 runs.

However, within his short international career, he has shown great prospects and will be key in the middle-order.

Malan will have to balance the batting order considering if they lose some early wickets.

BEN STOKES:

England’s premier all-rounder Ben Stokes is yet to fire since his return to the national team after the Bristol incident. However, he is a player of class and the big scores are only coming shortly.

Stokes will also play a key role with ball providing assistance to the veteran seam duo.

JOS BUTTLER

Jos Buttler has been in the form of his life since participating in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He forced his way back to the Test cricket while riding on his stint in India and made an immediate mark.

Buttler has played spin well in the recently concluded white-ball series and will be key to England’s success.

JONNY BAIRSTOW (WK):

Jonny Bairstow has also been in the form of his life scoring runs on a consistent basis. He will provide depth in the English batting order in this five-match Test series.

Bairstow will also have the important job to stand behind the stumps as it is difficult to keep wickets in England.

JAMES ANDERSON:

James Anderson is coming from a six-weeks injury lay off and England will rely on him heavily to deliver.

However, there will be speculations if he can continue the full series with the management already conveying the idea of rotational policy.

Anderson’s battle with Virat Kohli will be crucial and it will decide the fate of the series.

STUART BROAD:

Stuart Broad is also coming from the back of an injury and his first aim will be to sustain all the five Tests.

Broad along with Anderson forms the most dangerous bowling attacks of the world and will once again be key against India.

Along with the ball, Broad will provide additional depth to the English batting.

SAM CURRAN:

The young left-arm bowler has played a solitary Test but is a huge prospect for England in the future. He made his Test debut against Pakistan last month and this will be an ultimate test of his pedigree.

The left-arm seamer can pose some serious threats if England prepares green tops.

ADIL RASHID:

Adil Rashid has made a comeback to the Test side almost after 18 months, which has sparked a debate.

However, he has been in good form and England hopes to use his form in the red-ball cricket.

Rashid, who earlier stated that he will not prefer to play the longer format, will look to use this opportunity and cement his spot in the Test side.

It would be interesting to see how many changes we are going to witness in relation to this predicted XI of England for the 1st Test against India in Birmingham.