Ben Stokes, the England skipper, won back-to-back tosses in the first two Tests. Both times he opted to bowl first and chase i the fourth innings.
While the tactics worked in the first Test at Headingley, it backfired in the second Test with India asking England to chase over 600. However, the England skipper has defended his decision to bowl first at Edgbaston.
Stokes, speaking at the pre-match press conference ahead of the third Test spoke about his decision to bowl first at Edgbaston. The track was a flat wicket to bat on and his decision was criticised by former England cricketers after they lost the Test match.
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Stokes Stands Firm On Edgbaston Call
However, Stokes stood firm on his decision, saying they decided to bowl at Edgbaston based on the conditions. In the process, he also spoke about what he would opt for if he wins the toss at Lord's.
“We selected to bowl first at the Edgbaston based on the conditions then. We don’t decide beforehand. Decision here will depend on the conditions,” Stokes said.
Ben Stokes also spoke about Jofra Archer's return to the Test side. The England pacer was picked in the playing XI for the third Test. This marks his Test return after a long gap of four years. In the meantime, he has battled several injury concerns and has returned fully fit. He was a part of the squad for the second Test but was given rest on precautionary measures.
Ben Stokes On Jofra Archer's Return
"It is really exciting. I think it's great for English fans, but also for Jofra. It's been a long time coming for him. I think the way in which he's handled the injury setbacks over that period, it's been very commendable. And then the way in which he's got himself back onto the field and playing cricket over a long period of time now," said Stokes in the pre-match press conference on Wednesday, July 9.
"It was exciting to have him back in the squad and in contention for last week, but now that we can say he's in the playing 11, it is very exciting for the group, but also, I think it's a pretty great day and I think Jofra is gonna be pretty proud of himself that he's managed to get himself back here after two pretty big injury scares," he added.
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Jofra Archer's Numbers in Tests
Jofra Archer has played 13 Tests for England, picking up 42 wicket,s including three five-wicket hauls.
England playing XI for 3rd Test
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (C), Jamie Smith (WK), Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Shoaib Bashir.
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