England named an unchanged lineup for the third and final Test against India starting on Thursday at The Oval. England trails the series 1-0 after a seven-wicket loss at Nottingham last week and a rain-affected first-Test draw at Lord's. "While India fully deserved their victory at Trent Bridge, there were many positive aspects to our performance," chairman of selectors David Graveney said Sunday.
"We were particularly pleased with the way our inexperienced bowling attack performed and they will be hoping to build on that in the final Test." England needs a win to preserve a six-year unbeaten run in home Test series.
That run stretches 11 series since England lost the Ashes at home six years ago. India has not won a series in England since 1986. England is without pace bowlers Matthew Hoggard and Steve Harmison and allrounder Andrew Flintoff because of injury. "Andrew Flintoff, Stephen Harmison and Matthew Hoggard are all making good progress in their recoveries but the selectors felt it was too soon to consider them for test cricket," Graveney said. England will likely stick with its pace attack of Chris Tremlett, James Anderson and Ryan Sidebottom, along with left-arm finger spinner Monty Panesar.
Fast bowler Stuart Broad, who has yet to make his Test debut, is also in the mix as a possible replacement for Anderson. "We have been 1-0 down before in Test series and come back to draw or win a series and I am sure that the players will be conscious of that and very keen to maintain our impressive record at home in Test cricket," Graveney said.
{{/usCountry}}Fast bowler Stuart Broad, who has yet to make his Test debut, is also in the mix as a possible replacement for Anderson. "We have been 1-0 down before in Test series and come back to draw or win a series and I am sure that the players will be conscious of that and very keen to maintain our impressive record at home in Test cricket," Graveney said.
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