England to persist with rotation policy despite India first Test victory

NICK HOWSON: Coach Chris Silverwood will use the full breadth of his squad for the second match in Chennai despite the 227-run success

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QUIZ! Test double-hundreds in Chennai

One of England's best-ever away Test wins will not cause a rethink of the rotation policy for the India series, according to head coach Chris Silverwood.

The tourists were near-faultless in securing a 227-run success in the first of the back-to-back Tests in Chennai but changes will be made when rivalry resumes on Saturday (February 13).

Jos Buttler's return home is expected to see Ben Foakes take the gloves 25 months on from his last Test outing.

Stuart Broad and Moeen Ali are also waiting in the wings for a recall.

Despite the first Test victory at Chepauk being spoken about as one of England's finest on the road, Silverwood is committed to using the full breadth of the squad available to him.

"I’m not reluctant to change a winning team now if it’s the best thing to do for the players and the team and the longevity of it," he said 24 hours on from going 1-0 up in the four-Test series.

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"You run the risk of the result being different but you could play the same team and the result would be different because we know India will come back hard. 

"We know they’re a very good team and we’ve got the utmost respect for them. 

"We know we will have to do our prep because we’ve got a fight on our hands in the next Test. But no, I’m not reluctant to change it because I think it’s the best thing for us to do over a long period."

The former Essex man pointedly added: "We have got to look after our players and I am very lucky that I am able to do this."

While Broad's return to replace James Anderson - the reverse occurred in the recent two-Test series in Sri Lanka - is a natural change, the spin department could also be overhauled.

Dom Bess' performance was an outliner on day five as England stormed to victory. The Yorkshire new boy took 1-50 in eight overs in the India second innings, being hit for six fours and a maximum.

^{Dom Bess took four wickets in the first innings but struggled on day five (BCCI)}

Silverwood is not too concerned by the showing - the 23-year-old claimed 4-76 first time around - but would not hesitate from giving Moeen Ali a first red-ball outing since September 2019.

"Everything is on the table," he added. "If we feel we need to do it we have the options available to rotate.

"[Ali has] worked as hard as he possibly can do. He's not played a game, we accept that, but those are the times that we're in at the moment. Should he play I'd have every confidence in him.

On Bess, he explained: "I'm not worried. I had a chat with him afterwards and he is still in good spirits. He can have a bad day every now and again. It is not through lack of effort. He's shown he can get us wickets so I am sure he'll be fine. 

"He had a bad day which can happen to anybody. I'm not concerned at this moment in time."