India vs England: India should fear England’s middle order
Published:England’s Ian Bell believes the battle for middle order places in the England ODI team can only be good for their chances against India.
England head into the game as outsiders at 11/10 but the emergence of Jonny Bairstow has given the England selectors plenty of options and plenty to think about.
Bairstow will be hard to drop after his 104 off 53 balls against Hyderabad CA XI, while the erratic brilliance of Kevin Pietersen means he is also a difficult man to leave out.
And, even with Eoin Morgan out injured, Bell knows he is fighting for his place in the team.
He said: “We have a strong batting unit, and someone’s going to have to miss out.
“But that’s just the realism of having a good side.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen in this squad or on this tour. But I’ve got to work hard – and if I get an opportunity I have to grab it.
“You know you’re not going to play every single game. The XI’s going to change all the time, but that’s a good thing.”
With England able to pick the in-form batsmen, then their chances of beating India in the first ODI this Friday look greatly enhanced.
However, the Indians can’t be ruled out and, with England losing their last ODI series in India 5-0, they are certainly worth considering at 8/11.
