3RD Test: Sibley Slips Out As Malan Moves In The Team

Going into the third test, the England Team seems to be in tatters. Their skin was saved in the first test match at Trent Bridge only by an untimely intervention of the rain gods. However, in the second test, spurred by the heroics of Shami and Bumrah, with the bat, and sledging by the English men, Indians turned the screws on their counterparts during the fourth innings. The English, at the receiving end of a brutal onslaught of quick bowling by the new-age Indian quickies, got egg-faced as they were all out for a mere 120 runs. Coming from behind in the match, India snatched the win with an impressive 151 runs margin. Obviously, heads are supposed to roll after such a poor performance.

Dom Is Shown The Door

Dom Sibley's performance was questioned by experts as he averaged only 14 in this current series so far. In fact, the slow-scoring opener has been struggling since the start of this year and averages under 20 (in 2021 so far) with just a single half-century in his last 15 innings. Hence, ideally, it should be no surprise if Dom has been shown the door. Let's take a glance at his replacement now.

Malan Makes His Comeback

Dawid Malan is making a comeback in the team after three years. Interestingly, his last test match appearance was against the same opponent- Team India at Edgbaston, in 2018, where the England Team triumphed.

Malan has already made his mark in T20 matches, where he reigns supreme as the best batsman in the world.

 

A New Combination At The Top

The only issue that we can foresee with this change is that Malan is not an opener; however, he is replacing one. Hence, the England Team has to come up with different permutations and combinations to adapt accordingly. A possible solution is that they may now open with Haseeb Hameed along with Rory Burns at the third Test that starts on Wednesday at Headingley, Leeds. 

Irrespective of the team that England brings to the field, experts opine that they have to play out of their skins to stem this Indian juggernaut. All eyes are set towards Leeds to see whether they can come out of the shocking defeat or succumb to pressure again.