England head coach Chris Silverwood has confirmed that the pace bowling duo of James Anderson and Stuart Broad is fit and available for the second Test of Ashes 2021-22, a day-night affair, to be played in Adelaide. 

England received a lot of criticism after they rested James Anderson and Stuart Broad for the first Test of Ashes 2021-21, which Australia won by 9 wickets. Despite having a staggering record, the duo was not picked by England for the first Test in Gabba.

While James Anderson was rested for the first match to manage his workload, Stuart Broad’s omission surprised many as the Joe Root-led side played three pacers in Mark Wood, Ollie Robinson, and Chris Woakes. 

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The second Test of Ashes 2021-22, which will be played with a pink ball under lights, will begin from 16th December in Adelaide. 

With only three days remaining for the start of the second match, England’s head coach Chris Silverwood confirmed that both James Anderson and Stuart Broad are fit and ready to go for the next game. 

“They are available, yes. Jimmy will be fit and ready to go for the second Test, as will Stuart. (But) I have not told anyone they are playing yet,” Chris Silverwood told British media. 

Silverwood said that his side have already started to practice with the pink ball behind the scenes. He lauded his ‘skilful’ bowlers, saying that they have talent and still have two of their best up their sleeves as well. 

“The guys have already been training with the pink ball behind the scenes. And what we have got is a very skilful set of bowlers. We have talent and we still have two of the best up our sleeve as well,” he said. 

It remains to be seen if England can come back from a soul-crushing loss in Gabba when they face Australia in the second game. Notably, on the other hand, the Pat Cummins-led side has won every day-night Test they have played so far. 

(Reuters inputs)