Former England captain Nasser Hussain has questioned England’s selection for the first Test match against India at Hyderabad. Stokes and McCullum have backed three spinners in Jack Leach, Tom Hartley, and Rehan Ahmed whereas Mark Wood is playing as a solitary fast bowler.

Hussain questioned veteran fast bowler James Anderson’s omission from the starting XI. Anderson has a decent record in the Indian conditions, taking 34 wickets in 13 Test matches at an average of 29.32. The swing master has scalped 690 wickets in 183 Test matches and he is the most successful fast bowler in red-ball format history.

“Do you think that inexperience maybe as well has led to the four spinner option? You’ve obviously got Leach. Like you said, haven’t bowled since June. July. You’ve got the two inexperienced lads in Hartley and Rehan Ahmed. You could have gone with more balance in the side,” said Hussain while speaking ahead of the match.

“You’re leaving out one of our greatest ever cricketers in Jimmy Anderson. Our greatest-ever bowler has a good record in the subcontinent. I would like a more balanced bowling attack. But I guess with Rehan Ahmed’s second test match, partly debut, Leach not bowling for a long time. They just feel they need three because looking at that surface, it’s going to turn,” Hussain added.

Meanwhile, England has got an inexperienced spin battery. Barring Jack Leach, Tom Hartley is making his Test debut whereas Rehan Ahmed is only playing his second Test match. Furthermore, Mark Wood is the solitary pacer in England’s playing XI.

England has lost half of their side at 125 after electing to bat first.

England Playing XI for 1st Test

Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes (C), Ben Foakes, Rehan Ahmed, Tom Hartley, Mark Wood, Jack Leach.