England captain Joe Root has admitted that the tourists will have to make some big selection decisions after a heavy defeat in the first Test of the ongoing Ashes 2021-22 against Australia, but ruled out the possibility of ignoring Jack Leach and Rory Burns for the second Test in Adelaide.
Burns registered a first-ball duck in the first inning and then manages just 13 runs in the second innings, while the spinner Leach scalped only one wicket (102/1 from 13 overs) during England’s 9-wicket defeat in Gabba.
Ahead of the second Ashes Test, a day-night affair in Adelaide starting on December 16, Root has backed Leach and Burns to come good in the upcoming Tests. He also said that the duo is most likely not to be dropped from the Adelaide Test.
Root told reporters about Leach: “We've obviously got some big decisions to make. I'm sure he'll want to respond and he'll want to get back into the series and have an impact. Some of the grounds that we will be going to from this point onwards should offer a lot more for him and bring spin into it as well.”
He signed off by saying on Burns, “Rory is a very strong character; you can't doubt that side of his game. He'll come back in and want a response and want to put some big scores on the board.”
Notably, England all-rounder Ben Stokes has declared himself fit to play in the second Test against Australia amid concerns over a knee injury.
(With AFP Inputs)
