ENG vs IND: James Anderson keen to play Manchester Test despite being over-bowled in the series

Veteran England seamer James Anderson is hopeful and confident of playing the fifth and final Test against India starting on Friday (10 September) in Manchester. The 39-year-old has so far featured in all four Tests. Apart from Anderson, pacer Craig Overton, who copped a nasty blow on his elbow of the bowling of Umesh Yadav, too is available for selection. A string of injuries to their premier bowlers meant that England had to play Anderson and Ollie Robinson in all of the four matches so far.

In the last Test, all-rounder Chris Woakes returned to don the whites after a gap of almost a year and is certain to play the final Test. Meanwhile, Mark Wood too has recovered from his shoulder injury and is fit to play in Manchester.

Apart from that, England have added Jos Buttler and Jack Leach to the squad for the fifth Test. History suggests that the Old Trafford pitch in Manchester generally favours spin more than pace thus Leach can be seen playing for England in the final game.

Meanwhile, England have also announced the home schedule for its men’s team for the next summer. The three Lions will face New Zealand for a three-match Test series before playing twelve white-ball matches against India and South Africa. Apart from the limited-overs series against South Africa, England will also feature in three Tests against the same team in September.