'What's the benefit': Wasim Jaffer questions England's strategy to announce playing XI a day before the match

SportsTak

Former India batter Wasim Jaffer, who is known for his witty remarks on social media, questioned the England cricket team's strategy to reveal their playing XI one day prior to the Test match. Jaffer took to Twitter and hinted that he doesn't see any benefit in revealing the playing XI a day before the match which only gives the opposition team an advantage.

"What's the benefit of announcing playing XI to the media a day or two before the test? Why reveal your plans to the opposition earlier than you have to.. Thoughts?" Jaffer said in a tweet.

England announced their playing XI for the second Test on June 27 (Tuesday) and made one change to their side that featured in the first Test. All-rounder Moeen Ali, who sustained blisters on his index finger during Edgbaston Test, was dropped from the playing XI. Right-arm fast bowler Josh Tongue was named as Ali's replacement.

Tongue made his Test debut against Ireland at Lord's earlier in the year and that is the fast bowler's only international appearance. The youngster bagged a five-wicket haul in his debut game at the 'mecca of cricket'.

The highly-anticipated second Ashes Test match between England and Australia will commence on June 28 (Wednesday). The Baggy Greens won a pulsating game of cricket at Edgbaston by two wickets and took a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. Heading into Lord's, the venue for the second Test, the Three Lions are under pressure to secure a positive result as going down 0-2 would prove catastrophic to their chances of reclaiming the urn.

England squad for 2nd Test: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jonny Bairstow (wicket-keeper), Stuart Broad, Ollie Robinson, Josh Tongue, James Anderson

 

MORE ON SPORTS TAK: 

'Go be a professional circus around the world': England legend lambasts entertainment-oriented 'Bazball' ahead of Lord's Test
'Special security arrangements for Pakistan matches,' confirms CAB president Snehasish Ganguly in exclusive interview