Published: Aug 06, 2014, 04:57 PM (IST)
Edited: Aug 06, 2014, 05:34 PM (IST)
Aug 6, 2014
The England players are training really hard so that they come hard at the Indians in the fourth Test match in Old Trafford, Manchester starting on Thursday.
Ever since the Trent Bridge Test, India and England are moving in to their next match with a little dose of controversy to pump up the excitement. With the matter almost laid to rest, an Indian side with injury concerns takes on England in the fourth Test at Old Trafford, Manchester. The momentum is clearly with the hosts having inflicted a thumping defeat over the MS Dhoni-led side. While the defeat at Southampton was an abject surrender, India has not performed as badly this series as they did in the third Test.
England training indoors then outdoors, then indoors again this morning. The lads still smiling though! #EngvInd pic.twitter.com/cdImYe2Stf
— England Cricket (@ECB_cricket) August 6, 2014
Meanwhile, the England side looks settled with Liam Plunkett being the only injury concern and Steve Finn looks set to play the fourth Test in his place. It was clinical performance from them in the third Test winning every session in the five days. But they will have to guard against complacency as India are no strangers to the weak links in the revamped side. The most positive sign of the win was Alastair Cook’s form with the bat and captaincy. Both seemed to go hand-in-hand as the skipper looked more relaxed. England will be a confident side with James Anderson firing and the batting looking solid with debutant Jos Buttler among the runs as well.
The pitch here could have good pace and bounce. However, India will have to be guarded against making another mistake of underestimating Moeen Ali who ran through their batting. A crucial stage in the series where a win will completely tilt the momentum on one side with enough confidence to take to the final Test and putting too much pressure on the losing team.
Catch all the coverage of India’s tour to England here
