Cricket’s 2024 in-tray: sort out Hundred and protect Tests
England head to India in a fortnight for what is being labelled the greatest challenge for Bazball. The five-match Test series is likely to be played on challenging surfaces that are slow and turning, and against a very strong India side who are second in the World Test Championship table, behind Australia.
England’s stock is high after winning 13 of their past 18 Tests and providing thrilling entertainment in the process, but this tour is a different challenge. India have not lost a Test series at home since England won there in 2012, and the touring squad has some inexperienced players. The spin contingent features the 19-year-old Rehan Ahmed, the uncapped Tom Hartley and Shoaib Bashir, who has played only six first-class matches.
Ben Stokes,
