England vs India – 3rd Test Match Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is England vs India taking place? Wednesday, August 25th, 2021 – 11:00 (UK)
Where is England vs India taking place? Emerald Headingley, Leeds
What is the expected weather for England vs India? 16-20c dry with light cloud across all five days and sunny intervals on Day 4.
What channel is England vs India on? The match will be televised live on Sky Sports
Where can I stream England vs India? The match can be streamed live via SkyGo
LAST MEETING
India beat England by 151 runs
THE TEAM NEWS
ENGLAND
- England collapsed in dramatic style on the final day of the second test between these two sides, allowing India’s tail to accrue a far healthier lead than expected, before being bowled out for 120 as they tried to bat out for the draw.
- Changes have been made in response to going 0-1 down in this five-match test series, with underperforming batters Dom Sibley and Zak Crawley dropped from the squad, leading to a test recall for Yorkshire’s Dawid Malan, whilst Lancashire fast bowler Saqib Mahmood has also been named in the squad and could make his test debut following an injury to Mark Wood.
- Quick bowler Wood has joined Stuart Broad on the injury list, a jarred right shoulder forcing the Durham star out of this third test, whilst batter Ollie Pope is expected to come into the side with Malan batting at number three and Haseeb Hameed moving up to open in place of Sibley.
INDIA
- India’s display on the final day of the second test at Lord’s was one of their most special red-ball performances, inspired firstly by the tail-end batting of Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah, before being finished off with an outstanding showing from the bowling unit, led primarily by the swing bowling brilliance of Mohammed Siraj who took four wickets in his 10.5 overs.
- The batting line-up is not expected to be altered by India in this third test and the only real question is whether spin-bowler Ravichandran Ashwin will come into the team, having not featured in the first two tests.
- Despite not losing either test, the feeling was that India missed Ashwin and it would be no surprise if he was to make his first appearance of the series, either in a straight swap with Ravindra Jadeja or replacing a quicker bowler such as Ishant Sharma.
THE PREDICTION
India’s thrilling victory at Lord’s once again served as a reminder for many why test cricket is the ultimate form of the game with twists and turns throughout, not to mention all three results being possible heading into the final day. The series moves to Emerald Headingley, where England will play a red ball match for the first time since the incredible Ashes third test that saw Ben Stokes and Jack Leach write their names into England folklore. Plenty of Yorkshiremen within the England side will no doubt help lead to a partisan atmosphere as the home crowd try and do their bit to boost Joe Root’s struggling team.
India have proven themselves to be a fantastic all-round side, whose bowling have so far had the better of the hosts. However, England still managed to get themselves into a winnable position in the second test and they are more than capable of toppling the tourists on a ground that has been very good to them in recent years, having won three of their last four test matches here. Malan and Pope should provide some stability to the batting if selected and England know they have the bowling tools to take 20 Indian wickets. With that in mind, back the hosts to come out fighting and level the series with victory in this third test.