The early exit of the T20 World Cup gave India more time to prepare for the red-ball tournament at the iconic venue, 142 years after the first men’s Test was played at the “Home of Cricket”.
The Indian team trained at the beautiful Wormsley Cricket Ground ahead of their second Test of the year, having played the last red ball in Australia in March.
India is expected to retain the first two
Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Varma are expected to continue as India’s opening pair after doing the job in the previous Test against Australia.
Priya Punia has been added to the squad to replace the injured Pratika Rawal, who batted at No.3 in India’s 10-wicket loss to Australia.
India also have the chance to give Test debuts to Harleen Deol, in-form all-rounder Sree Charani and pacer Nandni Sharma.
Strong record against England
Although women’s Tests are rare, India did well against England in the longest format.
India have won four of the last four Tests against England and are unbeaten in England, with two wins and seven draws.
Groups
India: Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Smriti Mandhana (vice-captain), Shafali Varma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Sree Charani, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Nandni Sharma, Harleen Deol, Renuka Thakur, Kranti Gaud, Sayaneh Raghana, Sayaneh Raghana
England: Nat Sciver-Brunt (captain), Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, Tilly Corteen-Coleman, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Amy Jones, Heather Knight, Emma Lamb, Grace Potts, Ellie Threlkeld, Mady Villiers, Issy Wong.
