England have announced a 13-man squad for the first Investec Test against India, beginning at Trent Bridge on Wednesday 9 July.
The only change to the 12 selected to face Sri Lanka is the return of Durham all-rounder Ben Stokes from injury, having impressed for his county in the domestic game.
Nottinghamshire’s Stuart Broad has been included, and looks set to spearhead the England attack at his home ground, but isn’t expecting home advantage courtesy of the pitch.
“I don’t necessarily think that every home side should expect help, but I think on every test match wicket, edges should carry,” he said.
“I don’t think that there should be particular seam movement, I think the movement should be the result of the overheads, or you get the ball reversing.
“A test wicket should be flat for the batsmen, but should have bounce. It’s wrong that you see edges not carry to slips or to the keeper. It’s a big mode of dismissal and when you’re a fan you want to see dropped catches and great catches.
“It’s a test of a batsman’s ability when there’s bounce in the wicket. I see no reason why a wicket wouldn’t have bounce in it in England.”
England squad
Alastair Cook (Essex) (Capt)
Moeen Ali (Worcestershire)
James Anderson (Lancashire)
Gary Ballance (Yorkshire)
Ian Bell (Warwickshire)
Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire)
Chris Jordan (Sussex)
Liam Plunkett (Yorkshire)
Matt Prior (Sussex)
Sam Robson (Middlesex)
Joe Root (Yorkshire)
Ben Stokes (Durham)
Chris Woakes (Warwickshire)
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