A Classic Test Series Returns
One of the great rivalries in cricket is rekindled this week as England and India meet in a five-Test series to decide the newly named Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.
In this blog we’ll look ahead to the series and see which players are set to play a key role – and the Gray-Nicolls bats they’ll be using.
It’s apt that two legends are honoured with both sides going through transitional periods. While England’s batting line-up looks settled, their bowling features neither Stuart Broad or James Anderson for the first summer in over 20 years for an entire Test summer.
Meanwhile, India’s batting is missing key players that have been the beating heart of their team for a generation; replacing Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma is an unenviable task. But with a new captain and young superstars at their disposal, the excitement level across the Indian cricket is high.
So with teams looking to prove their worth as the new World Test Championship cycle begins, there is more at stake than just the Trophy; this is a series that sets the tone for both team’s future.
Last Time They Met
England travelled to India in January 2024 with hope, if not expectation. Those hopes were raised even higher after an improbably victory in the opening Test after Ollie Pope's heroics and the incredible performances of England's inexperienced spin attack. However India - powered by Jasprit Bumrah, had too much for the visitors and ran out 4-1 winners in the end.
The Gray-Nicolls players on display
-Ollie Pope – England's number three with the Stratos 1.0
Ollie Pope proved to his worth for England once again in Zimbabwe with a stunning hundred at number three with his Stratos 1.0 cricket bat. Pope scored tons in each of England’s home series last summer as well as that iconic and match-winning 196 in India last January, so India will know the damage he can cause if he gets in.
-Harry Brook – The X-Factor Returns with Stratos Power
Having missed that India tour last winter, this is Brook’s first Test series against India and a chance to build further on his burgeoning reputation as one of the new “Fab Four”. India will know Brook’s ability from white ball and franchise cricket, ensuring he’ll be the key man they look to dislodge this summer.
Brook, with his Stratos cricket bat in hand, comes into the series fresh of wins in his first white ball assignments – now he heads back into the pack to power England’s middle order.
-Zak Crawley – Opening the Batting with Ventus 1.0
Zak Crawley is fresh off three figures in the Zimbabwe Test and a successful Vitality Blast season so far with his Ventus cricket bat in hand. India know him well from the previous series when Crawley top scored, notching four half centuries in the five Tests, top scoring for England with over 400 runs.
Despite a quiet winter in 2024, Zak’s game is at its best against world-class opposition; it doesn’t get much better than Jasprit Bumrah and co.
-Karun Nair – The Comeback King
Once the 303 Kid, now the Comeback King, Karun Nair’s resurgence should have a Netflix true-life documentary made about it. In the meantime, the resurgent star will be the beating heart of India’s batting line-up.
Having ruled the world with NEOCORE, it’s into Classic cricket bats for Nair, looking to replicate his record-breaking domestic form on the international stage.
His triple century was against England in 2016; if he can go to three figures this summer the comeback will truly be complete.
-Chris Woakes – Wizard to the Fore
One of England’s most consistent performers on home soil, Woakes is now the attack leader in England and ready to thrive in this five-match series. Woakes’ batting at eight might prove crucial at key moments – he’ll have very fond memories of batting against India as his maiden Test ton came against the same opponent at Lord’s in 2018.
Who’s Using What?
At a glance, the Gray-Nicolls code:
-Ollie Pope→ Stratos 1.0 – Get his bespoke set-up here
-Karun Nair + Chris Woakes → Classic
-Zak Crawley → Ventus 1.0 - Shop the bat
-Harry Brook → Stratos 1.0 – get the HB Pro Edition
Who Will Come Out on Top?
The world will be watching as one of the premier events in international sport unfolds. And while both sides are somewhat in transition, the quality on display is world-class. The first Test at Headingley begins on Friday – if you are going come and find the Gray-Nicolls stand inside the ground!
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