CHENNAI HOSTS FIFTH AND FINAL TEST
Amidst weather phenomenons and captaincy questions England must saddle up, clamber back onto the Shire horse and show some resilience. India may have won the series at a canter; now Alastair Cook and company must battle to see out 2016 on a high.
If they can eek out a victory in the fifth and final Test, the cranberry sauce might taste just that bit sweeter come the 25th.
In a year in which England have played some world-class cricket, which began with a fine victory overseas in South Africa, where – at times - the number one Test ranking seemed to be in reach, the record paints a different picture.
From 16 Tests in a busy calendar year England have won six, drawn three, and lost seven.
They have had a knack in recent times of winning a series then losing the final rubber. While England have failed to go for the jugular, India may not be so forgiving at Chennai. Kohli and co – with tensions simmering to boiling point at Mumbai just the motivation they needed to keep them interested - will seek to put boot to chin.
Three to watch
Alastair Cook
The captaincy questions won’t go away, and losing Tests will only proliferate that conversation.
The skipper will undoubtedly do what he has done throughout his career when his back is moving towards the wall. Put his noggin down and score runs, bucketloads generally. Cook – who is just two shy of 11,000 Test runs has been below par by his high standards in India scoring 310 runs at 38.75. In two previous tours to the country (2006, 2012) Cook had an average of 61.85.
Joe Root is undoubtedly heir to the throne - and as Cook himself stated – he’s mature enough to take on the role as and when called upon. But while there is still hunger in Cook’s guts, do England need to change? Does the team automatically become transformed with a shift in power? Sometimes if you look too many steps ahead you can miss the one right in front of you. Ben Stokes is backing him. Good enough for me.
Keaton Jennings
If offered, you’d probably take a golden duck in your second Test innings, knowing you were going to reel off a hundred in your first.
With England’s batting order as malleable as an octopus (YouTube it), Jennings – who will captain the Lions in Sri Lanka next year - must hunker down and grab his opportunity.
As disappointing as it is that we don’t get to watch Haseeb Hameed for the remainder of the tour, if Jennings turns out to be the missing piece in England’s top order, the Lancashire opener’s hand injury can be viewed as a blessing in disguise.
England’s spinners
A large percentage of pre-tour questioning was understandably directed towards how England’s spinners would fare in subcontinental conditions. At 3-0 down, they have been ground through the mill, how will they respond?
There’s every chance England – if Liam Dawson gets the nod - will emerge from the winter tours having used five spinners and not really being a great deal wiser for it.
Moeen Ali has bested the lot in the economy rates at 3.11, but only claimed nine wickets in the series - (13.59% of overs bowled were maidens).
Compare those rates to India’s combination and it pales in comparison - the levels of control are worlds apart.
Adil Rashid has been the shining light, taking 22 wickets in the series – second only to Ravi Ashwin. But generally England’s spinners have failed to live up to the high standards set by Monty Panesar and Graeme Swann in 2012.
Gareth Batty – an experienced head – was always going to be a stopgap selection and he has not been much more than a presence. The story of his return was a warming but questionable one.
Zafar Ansari claimed three wickets at Rajkot before barely playing a role – bowling just 12 overs - at Visakhapatnam and being ruled out of the rest of the tour through injury.
None have done enough to hush those clamoring for Jack Leach’s inclusion in the Test squad.
Teams
India (probable): 1. Rahul 2. Vijay 3. Pujara 4. Kohli* 5. Nair 6. Patel 7. Ashwin 8. Jadeja 9. J Yadav 10. Kumar 11. UT Yadav
James Anderson has been ruled out but Stuart Broad could well replace him in the XI. After choosing four seamers to their detriment at Mumbai, England may well look to revert to three and three with Dawson a potential beneficiary.
England (possible): 1. Cook* 2. Jennings 3. Root 4. Moeen 5. Bairstow+ 6. Stokes 7. Buttler 8. Woakes 9. Rashid 10. Dawson 11. Broad
Pitch and conditions
The wild weather will do nothing to aid England’s assessment of the Chennai pitch. The wickets haven’t always been predictable thus far - England have certainly got their selection wrong on at least two occasions.
Where to follow
Watch: Sky Sports 2, coverage starts 3:30am, play begins 04.00am.
Listen: Listen live to Test Match Special on BBC Five Live Sports Extra.
Odds
England are 5/1 to win the fifth Test - you can join bet365 for the best odds via this link – get a 100% bonus on your first deposit!
Welcome to www.thecricketer.com - the online home of the world’s oldest cricket magazine. Breaking news, interviews, opinion and cricket goodness from every corner of our beautiful sport, from village green to national arena.