With the 2 white ball series now behind us, thoughts move on to how India and England will line up in the 5 Test series. The volume of cricket being played and the way the games have been condescended (potentially 25 days of Test cricket in a 42 day period) suggests that both sides will likely need deep squads to pick from.
For their part India have sent a strong looking A Team to give experience to some of the exceptional young talent that is coming through the ranks as well as allowing preparation for some of the Test match regulars who do not feature in the T20 or ODI sides.
Rishabh Pant in action for India A against England A this week
Rishabh Pant is one player who looks like a very exciting prospect and there is a chance that he will be given the role of wicketkeeper batsman in the 11 selected for the first test on 1st August. He has scored 4 half centuries since arriving in England to follow up a fantastic 2018 IPL in which he finished as the 2nd highest aggregate runs scorer behind Kane Williamson whose Sunrisers team played 3 extra matches on their way to the final. With Dhoni now retired and Saha ruled out injured, it becomes a toss up between Pant and Karthik for the role behind the stumps. For his part, Pant will get first chance to impress in the current match that is taking place between India A and England Lions (otherwise known as England A). It looks like a game that England A will almost certainly win but Pant will get the opportunity to show that he can play the kind of backs to the wall, counter punching innings that is the trade mark of all good wicket keeper batsmen when India A try and save the game on the final day tomorrow.
Pant was in irresistible form for Delhi Daredevils in this years IPL
Another young prospect whose cricketing heritage as well as outrageous talent has lead to comparisons with the great Sachin Tendulkar himself is Prithvi Shaw. Captain of the victorious U-19 squad at the recent World Cup, Shaw has already helped himself to 2 centuries on the tour of England and while he hasn't been selected in the initial Test squad his burgeoning reputation will continue to put pressure on the likes of Vijay, Pujara, Rahul and Dhawan who are India's current top order choices. India A return home to play Tests against South Africa A in August, which will give Shaw the chance to further his claim for a place at the top table. I wrote the majority of Shaw's Everipedia page here and there is a great Transworld Sport Video below featuring him as a 15 year old. I would highly advise anyone who has not seen much of Shaw to watch it, you'll be seeing a lot more of him in the future.
Transworld Sport article about the 15 year old future star of Indian Cricket
For England the questions that remain to be answered about their top order as well as their spin options are likely to provide the biggest opportunities for young talent to sneak into the teams.
Joe Root currently occupies the number 3 spot for England but many (myself included) would like to see the captain at number 4. If that is the case and Dawid Malan is left out altogether, it seems likely that England would pick his replacement from Nick Gubbins, Rory Burns and Joe Clarke, none of whom have featured in Test cricket before. Gubbins and Burns are currently in the England Lions squad which would suggest they are slightly ahead in the minds of the selectors but for me Joe Clarke is the most talented of the 3 and will be someone England hope will go on to have a long and distinguished Test career.
Gubbins made 70 against India A earlier in the week but has missed much of the season to date with injury. With Middlesex relegated last year he is also playing against 2nd division bowling and that will count against him to some extent despite his consistent performances for the Lions.
Rory Burns is currently the highest aggregate run scorer in the country and seems to have taken his game to the next level since being named captain of Surrey this summer. The critique of him (and any Surrey batsman) will always be that the Oval is such a good pitch that anyone can score runs on it.
With Moeen Ali left out of the Test side that played against Pakistan recently and Jack Leach who appeared in Englands games against New Zealand earlier in the year injured for those spring Tests, young off-spinner Dom Bess was given the opportunity of a Test debut. Having made some runs in the first game against Pakistan (which England lost), he really came to life in the 2nd match, scoring more runs, taking wickets and pouching a brilliant catch to help lift England and level the series.
Watch Dom Bess take an outstanding catch and claim 3 wickets to help England win against Pakistan
Again it's a big call for the selectors to make. Moeen has bowled as well as i've seen him bowl in white ball cricket this summer against Australia and India and Jack Leach was steady if not spectacular for his 2 Tests. Could England pick 2 spinners? It's been a very hot summer and I would expect that the pitches will be dry and worn so it will be a consideration for the selectors. In my opinion, India would be happy to see England play 2 spinners, I think we should stick to our strengths which would be to pick quick bowlers who can move the ball in air and off the pitch.
This blog also appears on my Scorum account