 "Graeme Swann sees India series as England's Ashes warm-up; Michael Clarke shares his prediction: 'I do give them a chance'")
Former England cricketer Graeme Swann has made a controversial remark as he labelled the upcoming India-England five-match Test series as a “perfect warm-up” for the home team ahead of the Ashes. Meanwhile, former Australian captain Michael Clarke feels India have a chance, but the lack of experience can become a hindrance.
The India-England Test series starts on 20 June at Headingly, while the Ashes between Australia and England will be played between November 2024 and January 2025 window Down Under.
The last five-match series between India and England in England ended in a 2-2 draw, with the last match being played in 2022 after the first four took place in the previous year. The final Test was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On that tour, India won both their matches in London – at Lord’s and the Oval.
Swann: ‘IND-ENG perfect warm-up for Ashes’
England also lost the away Test tour 4-1 in the 2023/24 season against India, but despite this, Swann doesn’t rate this Indian cricket team very highly, as they are without Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. He also labelled England as massive favourites for the series.
“It’s kind of a perfect warm-up for the Ashes to be honest,” Swann told Sky Sports. “India is a huge series. The last 2-3 times we have gone to India, we have been thoroughly outplayed. So in our own backyard, our home turf, we need to beat India. We need to play well. They are not gonna have Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma, two absolute superstars of the bat.
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“So, without that, yes, they have got great players coming in instead, but we have bowlers who can exploit our conditions well, who can bowl really well. I think England must look to win this series and I think they should look to win it convincingly as well. I will take 4-1, 3-2. I will push, but I really hope we do well and get the confidence moving into the Ashes.”
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More ShortsClarke throws his weight behind India
In another show, Clarke said that the young Team India can challenge England even in the absence of Kohli and Rohit, but for that, the newcomers will need to make a mark, sooner rather than later.
“Well, yes, I do give them a chance, but it’s a lot more inexperienced team than the one I expected it to be on a plane to England. Having no Rohit Sharma, no Virat Kohli is huge. Players come, players go, people retire, and the game moves on. So, that does not mean a new captain is the worst thing for India. I’m not saying that. Somebody retires, and that gives somebody else an opportunity,” Clarke told Revsportz.
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“The main thing for me, though, is the Indian bowling attack. So we’re all aware that Bumrah (Jasprit) is not going to play five Tests. So, which Test matches is he going to play? Does he play the first three in a row? You win this series, and the last two will not matter. I don’t think that’s going to be the case. I think it’s going to have to be spaced out because the reason he’s not going to play five is for his body,” he continued.
“And then I also saw no Shami (Mohammed) in the squad as well. I think him missing the Australian series was huge, and if he and a fit Bumrah was in Australia then it would have been a very different series. But then India has huge talent. You know, I think talent-wise, India will always be in safe hands. It’s just how soon can some of these players make a mark in this series. Five Test matches in England is tough, tough cricket, and they need to be conscious of that,” he added.
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