England’s batting flops are given another chance as Brendon McCullum names an unchanged team with Jacob Bethell sidelined for third T20 vs India
England’s misfiring batsmen were given a vote of confidence on the eve of Tuesday’s pivotal Twenty20 in India when the chance to recall Jacob Bethell was neglected in favour of naming an unchanged team.
The lack of support to Jos Buttler from the rest of the top seven has been striking so far. Newly appointed vice-captain Harry Brook has fallen to leg-spinner Varun Chakravarthy twice for 30 runs, while Phil Salt, Ben Duckett, Liam Livingstone and Jamie Overton have mustered a sorry 31 between them in eight visits to the crease.
With 21-year-old Bethell, one of the success stories of England’s winter, back in training following illness, there was an option to make a change to a batting unit that struggled in back-to-back losses that left England arriving in Rajkot knowing they have to stop the rot to avoid a rapid defeat in the five-match series.
And it was here at the Niranjan Shah Stadium last year that India sealed their biggest Test win by runs — a whopping 434 of them.
The home team took 13 of their 20 wickets with spin in that match and used five spinners during Saturday’s two-wicket win in Chennai.
In contrast, the focus of England’s bowling attack has been express speed, with Brendon McCullum saying at the beginning of his tenure as multi-format coach last week that there would be no ‘cotton-wool treatment’ for anyone despite it being an Ashes year. So, Mark Wood makes a third straight appearance since returning from an elbow issue, alongside fellow speedster Jofra Archer.
Phil Salt works hard in the nets as he tries to find some form ahead of the third T20 v India
Jos Buttler (left) has looked in decent touch but had little support from the rest of the line-up
England had the chance to turn to talented Jacob Bethell but have left the 21-year-old out
‘McCullum wants us to bowl fast and create something from one end, which might create something from the other end as well,’ said Wood. ‘He’s basically told me he’s not bothered about the runs, just bowl fast and take wickets, and that is what I am trying to do.’
And the Durham bowler, who was kept out of the Indian Premier League by the ECB to preserve him for international assignments, is refusing to put an expiry date on his international career despite next winter’s trip Down Under looking like a natural finish line — he turns 36 in January 2026.
‘I have belief in myself and as long as the close circle around you — McCullum, the captain, your team-mates — believe in you, that gives you confidence,’ added Wood.
He has also adapted his methods. During this winter’s rehabilitation, his dedication to aerobic fitness saw him break his fastest times for 2km, 3km and 5km runs. And the notoriously picky eater has left the baked beans at home too, indulging in local foods like dal and paneer, in pursuit of a better diet. But it’s the taste of victory England require this evening to keep the series alive.
