England pacer Jofra Archer has been sidelined from the second Test, as the hosts have decided to retain the same XI that played in the first Test. Archer was added to the squad ahead of the second Test.
However, the management has decided to keep the same XI that played last week at Leeds. The hosts are leading the series after winning the first Test at Headingley by five wickets.
Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett are set to open the batting once again for England. They added an 188-run opening stand in the run chase in the second innings. Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook and Ben Stokes make up the top six for England. Wicketkeeper Jamie Smith is slotted in at number seven.
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England Playing XI For 2nd Test
Chris Woakes, Josh Tongue, Brydon Carse and Shoaib Bashir make up the bowling attack as England are without the likes of Jofra Archer and Mark Wood. Wood was part of the commentary team for the first Test.
Woakes is playing his fourth Test at his home ground. He expects another tough week for the England bowlers, as he said in the pre-game presser. He also spoke about Archer's fitness and possible return to the XI.
"It's always good to get over the line and get a win," Woakes said. "That does breed some confidence within the group to show that we're doing some things right. We're also a group that we know we need to improve. There's areas that we did last week that we know we can do better. So yes, we'll look at putting those things right" said Woakes.
"But certainly as a team, we're pretty happy with how we go about things and the style of cricket and the brand of cricket we want to play. We know that that's been successful over the last few years and we'll stick to that. But there's definitely still tweaks that we know we can do a bit better as a team. So we'll be looking to do that" The England all-rounder further added.
Also Read: India batters terrific Leeds showing earns them big jump in latest ICC Rankings
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Archer's Test Return Postponed
Meanwhile, Jofra Archer's return has been postponed as of now for the third Test. He returned to playing county cricket and bowled accurately with pace as well. However, the management is not looking to rush him just yet with the lead pacer having just recovered from his injury niggle. England are placed second while India are fifth on the WTC 2025-27 points table heading into the second Test.
England XI for Edgbaston Test
Ben Stokes (c), Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith, Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue and Shoaib Bashir.
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