ENG vs IND: The Wicket Will Be Flat, Wouldn't Surprise Me To See 400 On The Board - Michael Vaughan

Former England captain Michael Vaughan believes the English side has a lot of batting firepower and with the surface expected to be flat, a score of 400 will be in the sights if they bat first.

Jos Buttler and co. are coming off a tremendous series against The Netherlands where they breached the highest score in ODI cricket history by getting to 498 in the first ODI. Although it may not be possible against India, they will be keen to get over 400.

“Livingstone will be there somewhere as well. You are never quite sure what the line-up will be, but they (Root, Bairstow & Stokes) will all play. Just watch out for Brydon Carse, the fast bowler from Durham. He bowls quickly. He has an angle similar to Gleeson so he will play a game or two.”

“England will be strong, the wicket will be flat. England scored 498 against the Netherlands, which won’t be possible against India, but it wouldn’t surprise me to see 400 being scored,” Vaughan told Cricbuzz.

“It’s all about picking out the hat and what combinations they have” – Michael Vaughan

Vaughan added that Buttler might end up batting down the order to accommodate the likes of Joe Root, who is expected to be included in the playing XI having been added to the squad.

“Roy and Bairstow will open in 50-over cricket with the glue Joe Root at No. 3. Then it’s all about picking out the hat and what combinations they have, could be Ben Stokes, could be Livingstone, Moeen Ali or Harry Brook. Jos Buttler might bat at No. 4 in 50-over cricket,” he noted.

The first ODI gets underway on Tuesday at the Kennington Oval in London.

Also Read – ENG vs IND: India’s predicted playing XI for the first ODI vs England