England hand Tom Hartley Test debut in spin-heavy bowling attack

Heinrich GriesselHeinrich Griessel24 January 2024
Tom Hartley

Tom Hartley

England have included three spinners for the series opener against India, giving Tom Hartley his Test debut in Hyderabad.

Hartley, the Lancashire left-armer, joins the established Jack Leach and teenage leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed in an attack that suggests the tourists expect lavish turn.

Mark Wood has been picked as the only seam bowler in the side, meaning England's record wicket-taker James Anderson sits out.

With Wood operating best in short, rapid bursts, England are ready to embrace an entirely different rhythm of cricket. Joe Root's off-breaks are also likely to feature heavily and Stokes has even suggested he could open the bowling with the part-timer.

Ben Foakes returns as wicketkeeper, with Jonny Bairstow reverting to a specialist batting role at number five.

READ MORE: Rohit Sharma 'feels for' Shoaib Bashir as visa complications delay his arrival

    More News