England Vs India 2018, 4th Test: England's Predicted XI - Southampton

England might be leading the ongoing five-match Test series against India 2-1. However, they will go into the fourth Test in a precarious situation and will be more worried following visitors remarkable performance in the third Test at Trent Bridge. Their batting line-up entirely looked out of sorts. None of their batsmen has been consistent enough to defy the Indian bowling line-up. On the other hand, the Indian batting department also delivered goods in the Nottingham Test. We will have a look at England predicted XI for the fourth Test at Ageas Bowl in Southampton.

The English bowlers were quite brilliant in the first couple of Tests. However, they couldn’t quite live upto the expectations and allowed India to score more than 300 runs on both occasions in the previous Test.

England doesn’t have too many options, and the injury to Jonny Bairstow will be another set back for the home team.

Let us have a look at the England Predicted XI for the 4th Test in Southampton:

Openers: Alastair Cook and Keaton Jennings

Both the left-handed batters have been in poor form. They haven’t scored enough runs in the series so far which has got the hosts off to a good start. They did put up a 50 runs partnership in the previous Test. But both batsmen were dismissed within a couple of deliveries and never looked in complete command of proceedings.

Well, there is no doubt about the fact that Cook is one of the greatest batsmen of England ever. However, he is not even a shade of what he used to be five years ago. Jennings on the other hand might just be given one more game before he goes into the oblivion yet again.

Middle order: Joe Root, James Vince, Ollie Pope:

Captain Joe Root has been nowhere close to his shadow in the last few months. He has looked in good touch on occasions and has also played some fluent drives.

However, his temperament has been in question. Even in the previous Test, he was away from his wickets to chase deliveries which he should have left.

James Vince in all likelihood will be making a comeback in the playing XI if Bairstow is deemed unfit for the fourth Test at Ageas Bowl.

Vince is a solid middle order batsman. However, he doesn’t have the consistency which has not really allowed him to cement his place in the side.

Ollie Pope batted at No. 4 in the previous Test. However, the youngster might come down to No. 5 if Vince is part of the playing XI. It will also help him come to terms owing to the Test cricket. He is an impressive batsman and has shown that he is capable of greatness with some of his shots.

All-Rounder- Ben Stokes:

The all-rounder’s duty like always will be provided by Ben Stokes. He has been in sensational form with the ball. The southpaw also spent some quality time in the middle in the previous Test. He shared a brilliant stand with Jos Buttler.

With the ball in hand, he has troubled the Indian batters on a consistent basis. His inswinging delivery has brought about the downfall of many right-handed batters.

England Predicted XI: He would be crucial for England Vs India Test in Southampton.

Wicket-keeper-Jos Buttler:

Buttler scored a magnificent century in the previous Test and looked in great touch. He was dropped early on in his innings. However, he made full use of the dropped chance and went onto smash his maiden Test century. His innings was studded with some exceptional shots to the boundary.

Spinners-Adil Rashid:

Adil Rashid has been the preferred spinner for England in the series so far. Rashid has got a few wickets but has not bowled brilliantly under any stress of imagination. He is not an ideal red-ball bowler and it has shown in how he has performed in the series so far. He has been far from consistent in pitching the ball in the right areas.

Pacers- Chris Woakes, Stuart Broad, James Anderson:

Chris Woakes was quite brilliant with the bat in the second Test at Lord’s and scored a magnificent century. He was effective with the ball in the first innings of the third Test. He bagged the top three to reduce India to 82 for three after a brilliant start.

Moreover, Stuart Broad is a world-class bowler over the years and has bowled quite impressively in the most extended format of the game. He has developed a few new deliveries which have helped him unsettle opposition batters more often than not.

On the other side, James Anderson is the leading wicket-taker for England in the longest format. He is a lethal option for any team especially in conditions which is swing friendly.

Even in this ongoing Test series, Anderson has bowled very well. Unfortunately, he hasn’t been able to bag the wicket of Virat Kohli despite bowling quite brilliantly to him.