England landed on India’s verdant east coast on Tuesday in seemingly buoyant mood with their head coach, Brendon McCullum, revealing that Shoaib Bashir is in contention for a possible Test debut this week and an all-spin attack is not out of the question.
The 20-year-old Bashir had his entry into India delayed by visa complications but the off-spinner arrived on Sunday to watch England claim a 1-0 series lead. The 28-run victory in Hyderabad was not without one casualty, however, with Jack Leach now facing a race to fit for the second Test that starts on Friday after sustaining a badly bruised left knee.
