England are coming after winning all the three Tests against WTC champions New Zealand. The England vs India rescheduled fifth Test starts on July 1.
Fresh from their 3-0 clean sweep against New Zealand in the Test series, England captain Ben Stokes isn’t in a mood to let go of the intensity against India in the upcoming rescheduled fifth Test. The England vs India fifth Test match starts on July 1 in Edgbaston. (More Cricket News)
Under the leadership of Stokes and new coach Brendon McCullum, England completely whitewashed reigning World Test Championship champions New Zealand, capping it off with a seven-wicket victory in the third and final match at Headingley.
The one-off Test against India, a part of last year's five-match series, which was abandoned due to a COVID-19 outbreak, will begin at Edgbaston on Friday. “Trust me when I say this. We'll be coming out with exactly the same (aggressive) mindset, even though it's a different opposition,” Stokes said.
“Obviously, it's going to be a completely different... different opposition, with their attack and players as well. We'll be concentrating on what we've done well over these last three games and look to continue that against India on Friday,” added the new England captain.
The visitors are leading the five-match series 2-1 but will face a revitalised England, which comprise only four members -- Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Bairstow and James Anderson -- from last year's fourth Test against the Indians.
Stokes himself was not available for the series last year as he had taken a break to focus on his mental health. England endured a tough time in the last few months, winning just once in 17 Tests before the New Zealand series.
Praising his teammates for turning things around, Stokes said: “To walk away with a 3-0 series win over the best team in the world is a pretty special start. I've got to show a huge amount of testament to the team over these three games. They've been absolutely phenomenal.”
Stokes took over the captaincy after Root relinquished the position following England's 0-1 series defeat to the West Indies in April.
“When I took over this job, it was more than results for me. It was about changing the mindset of the lads towards Test cricket, about having fun, and enjoying the fact that you're out there representing your country, and the results look after itself.
“But to say that we've done it so quickly is just unbelievable. I can only do so much, so I've got to show a huge amount of credit to Brendon, in the way that he's come in and influenced this group,” h added.