Keaton Jennings And Liam Dawson Added to England Test Squad

The hosts now lead the five-match series 2-0 but Root is optimistic that England can turn around their fortunes in the next match if they can tackle India’s spin attack.

After the current tour of India, which has two Tests left, England have a break of almost seven months before their next Test series.

Even though, England started the year well with series victories against South Africa and Sri Lanka, they failed to beat Pakistan and Bangladesh at home and away respectively and are also starring down the battle at 0-2 in their ongoing five-match Test series against India after losing the second and third game.

“There’s no doubt the Indian batsmen are exceptional”.

Jennings is studying part-time for an accountancy degree and had to reschedule exams when he was called up for England Lions this winter. Having made his debut in the T20I and ODI teams in July and September respectively, he can expect to be named in the squad for the games (three ODIs and three T20Is) in India in the new year. When Atherton asked him ‘who, ‘ he said that ‘it doesn’t matter.

Dawson, an all-rounder from Hampshire, is more of a batsman. I think it’s part of the game. But then, Dawson has not done wonders in BPL either.

Woakes meanwhile claimed his 40th wicket for the year with the scalp of Murali Vijay in the third Test in Mohali and after his handy contributions of 25 and 30 in that match, the 27-year-old is now just 18 runs away from reaching 500 in 2016. The wicket column looks unimpressive as well, with mere 5 wickets in the tournament so far.

Root’s composed 78 helped erased the deficit and an unbeaten 59 by Hameed, batting down the order after breaking his finger, ensured India had a three-figure target to chase after bowling out England for 236 in the afternoon session.

Jennings, 24, should get an immediate run-out for England Lions against the United Arab Emirates on Thursday before heading to India.

Yet Dawson is a favourite of Bayliss after impressing with his attitude when called up for the WorldT20 in India earlier this year.

It would be a surprise if Dawson has not leap-frogged over Gareth Batty now as the unlikely global return of the 39-year-old 11 years since his last England appearance is surely at an end.

As a wicket-keeper he narrowly missed out on representing South Africa on their return from isolation in 1994, but Jennings junior is set for global honours following his stellar summer, and is midway through accountancy exams that he should finish next year.

“If he gets an opportunity to play Test cricket for England, I’m sure he’ll be desperate to do well”. Proving his loyalty to the club in toughest of times, Jennings has chose to stay on at the club for another year even though they have been relegated.