Mohammed Siraj has bowled essentially the most overs (181.2) within the ongoing collection between India and England and likewise leads the listing of wicket-takers with 20 scalps.
Amid rising issues in regards to the bowler’s workload, India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel revealed {that a} main purpose for the pacer to proceed has been his perseverance.
“There have been conversations with him (earlier than the fifth Take a look at at The Oval) simply to verify about how he was feeling mentally and bodily due to the quantity of overs he had bowled, however he was the primary man to say, ‘Pay attention, I wish to play this Take a look at match, I wish to win it for the staff’,” Morkel mentioned.
“So, not simply on the bowling entrance, nevertheless it’s the angle that’s nice.”
With Jasprit Bumrah enjoying simply three Checks, Siraj took up the accountability to placed on the arduous yards for India’s tempo assault. “He’s keen to run in all day. I’m not shocked, and that’s why he’s bought the numbers,” Morkel added.
India’s resolution to go along with three quick bowlers has raised eyebrows, however Morkel defended the choice, saying it was taken so as to add extra runs.
“That was a part of the dialog earlier than each choice to this point. We simply felt — main into the Take a look at match — that going with the additional batter was going to be essential. Within the final two Take a look at matches, our fourth seamer didn’t actually bowl that a lot as a result of Washi (Washington Sundar) and (Ravindra) Jadeja additionally may maintain up a hand and bowl some overs,” Morkel added.
“They only thought that having a bit of additional runs on the board was extra essential,” Morkel mentioned, including that they may focus on the problem as soon as the tour is over.
Woakes prepared
Chris Woakes, who dislocated his left shoulder on the primary day of the fifth Take a look at, is able to bat within the second innings if the necessity arises, Joe Root confirmed.
“He (Woakes) is in an enormous quantity of ache. We’ve seen within the collection how Pant batted with a damaged foot. Woakes is able to put his physique on the road for England,” Root mentioned.