England could have the Edg if India rest pace ace Bumrah

WITH football still coming at us at a rate of knots and Wimbledon tennis fortnight beginning yesterday, we will try to turn our attention to potentially a brilliant cricket match which starts at Edgbaston tomorrow - namely the second Test between England and India.

- GARY NEWBON

The first four days are a sell-out at this outstanding venue which, weather permitting, will be rocking in the atmospheric Hollies Stand.

If the wonderful first Test is anything to go by, this will be another stunner. 'Bazball' or whatever you want to call it makes for a brilliant watch. Led by Ben Stokes, this England team is as brave as a lion.

This is a new Indian team in several ways and missed catches cost them dearly in the end. But they can bat and, in pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah, they have a world-class performer. The Indian tour coach Gautam Gambhir has confirmed that despite their defeat at Headingley, Bumrah will only play in three of this series' five Tests. As I write, I wonder will he play at Edgbaston?

Bumrah took five wickets in England's first innings but none in their second. India want to manage his workload with so much cricket coming up.

Just to remind you of the first Test after Stokes won the toss and put India in to bat the visitors scored 471 in their first innings and 364 in their second. In reply, England made 465 in their first and 373 for five in their second to win the thrilling match by five wickets. Player of the match England opener Ben Duckett scored 62 and 149 respectively.

England’s successful second innings run chase was the 10th highest in the long history of Test cricket and just bettered by 378 for three also against India at Edgbaston in 2022.