England vs India Second Test Preview – CopyBet

Tip 1: About the only thing missing from a magnificent first Test at Headingley was a century for England's leading runscorer in the format, Joe Root.

But there was enough on show from Root at his home ground to hint that a big score may not be too far round the corner, and his record at Edgbaston is exemplary.

Root averages over 70 in nine Tests at the Birmingham venue and has passed fifty in eight of his 16 innings there. Three of those were centuries, including a masterful 142 not out the last time England played India at Edgaston three years ago and an unbeaten 118 in the Ashes a year later.

The 34-year-old guided England home in the first innings with a superbly composed half-century on day five and he could give the Edgbaston crowd another reminder of his status as one of the greatest batters of his, or indeed any, generation.

Tip 2: England have spent much of the last decade scratching around for a settled opening partnership and they have finally found one in Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett.

Crawley has his detractors and his contributions often come in fits and starts, but Duckett is becoming a much more consistent contributor.

The diminutive left-hander now averages over 43 in Tests, no mean feat for an opening batsman, and his 149 on the final day at Headingley was the cornerstone of England's successful chase.

Duckett played India's most potent seamer, Jasprit Bumrah, with respect and cashed in against the rest of their attack, with the reverse sweep a particular source of runs.

Duckett's match-winning hundred followed 62 in the first innings and he could again pass 50 in England's first dig, especially given Bumrah is not certain to play as India manage his workload.

The 30-year-old knows Edgbaston well from two seasons with the Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred, and he will punish India's bowlers again if they stray even a fraction off line.